Domestic abuse

How to identify and respond to domestic abuse, guidance and support.

Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) guidance

The MARAC focuses on safeguarding victims through a multi-agency risk assessment and action plan and sharing information between agencies.

It’s a short-term intervention bringing agencies together 10 to 14 days after a high-risk domestic violence (DV) incident is referred or reported to the police. 

MARAC is an agency-only process which may include the following agencies and professionals:

  • children and adult social care
  • community rehabilitation companies (CRCs)
  • education
  • health
  • housing
  • independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs)
  • National Probation Service (NPS)
  • police

For more information on MARAC use the following online guidance:

For training covering MARAC visit SETDAB’s online MARAC basic awareness e-learning package web page.

School and setting involvement

MARAC is an adult-based process but if a victim or suspect has children (or children live at the same address) the risk posed to children will also be considered.

The MARAC education safeguarding officer works with settings to provide relevant information to the MARAC. As well as being contacted by the education safeguarding officer, you may also hear from other agencies as part of their usual process for DV incidents. For schools, this is usually a school nurse or children’s social care.

Refer a case

Any education setting can refer a case to MARAC if they feel the victim is at high risk.

To refer a case download and complete the ‘MARAC Referral form’ from the SETDAB MARAC referral form and operating protocol web page. Email the completed form to essexmaracreferrals@essex.police.uk