Appendix 1 - Tayside MAPPA Annual Report 2024-25
Perth and Kinross Council · 21 January 2026
Back to Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee — 21 January 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 1 Annual Report 2024-2025
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 1 INTRODUCTION As the newly appointed Independent Chair of the Tayside MAPPA Strategic Oversight Group, I am pleased to present our 2025 annual report. Having been in post for a short time, I am deeply encouraged by the commitment and collaborative spirit of our multi-agency partners in managing and reducing the risks posed by people who present a risk of harm to others in our communities. This year, our focus has been on continuous improvement and strengthening partnerships. We are embarking on refreshing our strategic plan to ensure it remains robust, responsive and aligned with national priorities. A key priority has been enhancing our training programmes to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver effective risk management. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we are refining our processes to enhance public safety and promoting rehabilitation. Engagement with key partners, across justice, health, housing and community sectors has been central to our work. Through collaboration, we build stronger, more integrated approaches to support safer communities. This report outlines our partnerships, challenges and ambitions as we continue to uphold the highest standards of public protection. I extend my thanks to all partners and stakeholders for their unwavering dedication and professionalism. Together, we are committed to making our communities safer for all. Graham Binnie Independent Chair, Tayside MAPPA Strategic Oversight Group
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 2 WHAT IS MAPPA? Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) were introduced to Scotland in 2007 and provide a framework to manage the risk posed by Registered Sex Offenders (RSO), Restricted Patients and Category 3 offenders. Category 3 was introduced in March 2016 and covers persons who by reason of their conviction are subject to supervision in the community and are assessed by the agencies as posing a high or very high risk of serious harm to the public and require multi agency management. Since the introduction of MAPPA, the Scottish Government have published and updated National MAPPA Guidance to ensure new legislation, changes to guidance, policies and effective practice are included. The latest version was published in March 2022 and can be viewed on the Scottish Government website. MAPPA brings together, Police, local authorities, housing, Health and the Scottish Prison Service, described in the legislation as the ‘Responsible Authorities’. The responsible authorities in Tayside are: • Angus Council • Dundee City Council • Perth & Kinross Council • Police Scotland • NHS Tayside • Scottish Prison Service A multi-agency approach to managing people who present a high risk of harm to others is effective because professionals working closely together can achieve far more than one agency alone. The priority of agencies working within the framework of MAPPA is to keep the public safe. To ensure that resources are focused where they are needed most MAPPA provides three levels of management. • Level 1: Routine Risk Management • Level 2: Multi Agency Risk Management • Level 3: Multi Agency Public Protection Panels (MAPPP) As of the 31 March 2025 there were 443 people subject to MAPPA in the community across Tayside, with 97% (430) are managed at Level 1, 3% (13) at Level 2 and none at Level 3. The most important part of MAPPA is sharing information and pulling together the knowledge and the expertise of the agencies involved.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 3 POLICE SCOTLAND The Police are responsible for the operation of the Sex Offender Notification Requirements (SONR) set by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Registered Sex Offenders (RSO) in Tayside are managed by the Sex Offender Policing Unit (SOPU) who oversee the notification requirements and are the lead responsible authority for those offenders who are in the community and who are not subject to any form of statutory supervision. Most registered sex offenders are not subject to any statutory supervision and on the 31 March 2025, there were 299 Police only managed RSOs. The Police also work alongside Justice Social Work where statutory supervision is in place. In Dundee the SOPU continue to be co-located within the Justice building at Friarfield House. Although not co-located the SOPU teams in Angus and Perth & Kinross have a close working relationship with the Justice Social Work in their respective areas to provide robust risk management of the offenders in each area. To do this, officers have a detailed knowledge of the individuals in terms of their offending history, potential access to victims and current lifestyle. This is an ongoing process, and regular assessments are carried out to identify any significant changes. The following gives an indication of some of the methods used to gather information; • Unannounced home visits or any other address registered by them • Close working relations with all agencies involved with the individual • Monitoring of internal and national databases to identify further incidents • Briefing and bulletins to staff out with the SOPU ensuring local policing is aware of offenders in the area. • Joint completion of risk assessments and risk management plans with Justice Social Work. LOCAL AUTHORITY The Local Authority is the responsible authority for those RSOs who are subject to statutory supervision. The Justice Social Work supervise people who are subject to community payback orders, short term sex offender licences, post release supervision for individuals serving a long term sentences and those on voluntary supervision for short term sentences. In addition, areas of the council such as Children’s Social Work and Housing and the Health and Social Care partnership also play a major role in the management of the people in the community. Justice Social Workers within the Public Protection Teams will assess and manage RSO’s in the community and will also provide reports to the court, Scottish Prison Service and Parole Board in accordance with national outcomes and standards which stipulates minimum supervision contact levels, frequency
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 4 of reviews and breach procedures. On 31 March 2025 there were 144 individuals subject to statutory supervision. Police officers within the SOPU and Public Protection Team Justice Social Workers are trained in the accredited risk assessment tools to assess and develop risk management plans for each RSO. Staffing within these teams has been relatively stable for several years which has allowed high levels of expertise and knowledge to be developed. HOUSING Research indicates that stable housing arrangements and effective monitoring are key to minimising the risk posed by those who commit sexual offences. Stable accommodation contributes to the successful rehabilitation of the person and to the protection of the community. In each of the three local authorities of Tayside there is a Housing Liaison Officer (SOLO) who assist in accessing and securing housing for the offenders and are the first point of contact when accommodation is being sought. They will liaise with registered social landlords to identify suitable housing options for the RSOs. The housing service is a major part in the management of risk and will contribute to the environmental risk assessments to ensure accommodation is appropriate. The Housing SOLO in each local authority attends all MAPPA meetings. NHS TAYSIDE NHS continues to play a major part of MAPPA they are the responsible authority for the restricted patients and a duty to co-operate agency in the management of RSO’s and Category 3 individuals. NHS Tayside Adult Protection Team role in supporting MAPPA has continued to develop during the last year with increased awareness raising sessions, targeted and proportionate communication within health and primary care and in enhanced efficiency and standardisation of processes. From a learning perspective, they are currently updating the MAPPA LearnPro module, which offers an accessible foundation of learning for anyone working in NHS Tayside. They are also offering tailored sessions on request from clinical areas, in terms of further developing their knowledge and understanding. An NHST Adult Protection Advice Line and Generic Mailbox offer accessible contact points for anyone working in health with regards to queries around people managed under MAPPA. Our health system alerts prompt clinicians to update us when they have contact with someone managed under MAPPA to gauge whether the multi-agency team required to be updated with this information. This means sharing of relevant and proportionate health
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 5 information with the MAPPA team is now proactive, not being delayed until the next formal review. The NHST team has liaised with health colleagues in other Boards and the National Health MAPPA Group in terms of sharing and improving our basic processes. We engage with Primary Care where appropriate, to access summaries of their contact with MAPPA nominals, and to share relevant and proportionate information in terms of risk. We educate clinicians who then contact us, supporting them to consider what this risk might mean for their ways of working. In terms of documentation, we now communicate with Primary Care via Clinical Portal, so that even if the person isn’t currently registered with a GP the information is there for when they do; this information is also accessible to unscheduled care services, supporting their risk assessment and clinical approach. We are also responding to services using independent systems to improve communication of essential information regarding people managed under MAPPA, to improve sharing of key information and proportionate awareness of risk. There is also strong links with the Learning Disability Forensic Team who work closely with both Police and Justice Social Work in relation to RSO’s with a learning disability. SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) is the responsible authority for the individuals who are in custody and who will be subject to MAPPA on release. They are also the lead for those who are subject to unescorted and escorted leave into the community and those subject to home leave. SPS must ensure that all accredited and relevant risk assessments are used to determine the management of the individual both in custody and in preparation for release. SPS are also responsible for engagement with victims through the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS). Close working with SPS and community ensures a smooth transition from custody to community. In Tayside we have close links with three SPS establishments, HMP Perth, HMP Castle Huntly and HMP Bella Unit. DUTY TO CO-OPERATE It is recognised that public protection often depends on more than a criminal justice response and other agencies also have an important role. The Management of Offenders Act imposes a ‘duty to co-operate’ on certain agencies. Such agencies include registered social landlords, providers of electronic monitoring and agencies providing services on behalf of the responsible authorities.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 6 MAPPA IN OPERATION CASE STUDY Multi-Disciplinary Support for Mr. X Mr X is a registered sex offender having been convicted of a sexually motivated communication offence for which he was made subject to a community payback order. He has a learning disability and was recently diagnosed with autism. Mr X lives independently in social housing. There is a strong multi-disciplinary approach in place to support him, including the involvement of psychiatry, forensic nursing, occupational therapy, learning disability social work, Police Scotland and justice social work. The team meets every six weeks for a structured multi-agency meeting chaired by his justice social worker to review his situation, coordinate care, and maintain a robust risk management plan. MAPPA meetings also take place to ensure that all aspects of his risk management plan are appropriate and adapted where necessary. In addition to formal meetings, the team maintains regular contact via email, enabling prompt information sharing and swift action when any concerns arise regarding Mr. X’s wellbeing or behaviour. INTERVENTIONS In the coming year a new national accredited programme, Moving Forward 2 Change (MF2C) will be introduced across Tayside and will be delivered by the Tay Project. The Tay Project is a team of social workers who are responsible for carrying out assessments and delivering interventions for those assessed as posing a risk of sexual harm across Tayside. Members of the team also contribute to various national training roles in terms of risk assessment tools and numerous national training programmes. Interventions are delivered on an accredited programme basis and will be employing the Moving Forward 2 Change programme (MF2C). This is a behavioural change programme that is underpinned by the research and practice literature on sexual offending behaviour. It is designed to meet the treatment needs of males aged over 18 who have been convicted of a sexual offence, or non-sexual offence that contains a sexual element and who have been assessed as medium and high risk/needs profile. The aim of the programme is to reduce the risk of re-offending of men convicted of sexual/sexually motivated offences and increase their opportunities
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 7 and capacity for meeting needs by non-offending means. This is done by considering the biological, psychological and social factors relevant to their offending behaviour and helping the individual and those assisting/managing them to understand the factors that are relevant to the risk their behaviour may pose and how these factors interact. The delivery is group-based but can be delivered on an individual basis. Participants are supported to reflect on their past to understand risk factors and protective factors thus empowering them to take responsibility for their treatment journey. MF2C supports participants to evaluate past risks by providing information about antecedents and consequences and setting goals. It aims to reduce negative emotions and to support participants to restructure their social environment, action plan, problem solve and provide new skills to enable self-management. Delivery provides social support and support to build a prosocial identity. The Tay Project team are responsible for assessing the suitability of an individual for inclusion on the programme based upon their level of risk and need. The length of time an individual will spend in treatment will depend upon their risk and needs profile which will inform the treatment formulation. This will in turn inform the treatment pathway in relation to what modules and what assignments from each module, they will undertake. This is individualised for each service user. The programme consists of pre-group work, mandatory modules and optional modules if assessed as necessary. It has been developed to be trauma informed and responsive to individuals needs and their life experiences. It has a clear programme ethos: MF2C should provide a safe, inclusive, respectful, supportive, and compassionate environment. Participants can share their story, learn the function of their behaviour, learn from useful programme content, and make positive changes by acquiring skills that will help them to manage risks and achieve their goals. The programme emphasises that early life experiences and biology were not sought by the individual. MF2C staff should aim to build trust and empower participants by working collaboratively and providing choices so that participants take responsibility for their behaviours and shape a prosocial identity. MF2C staff should be empathic, warm, rewarding but communicate clearly and be direct, when necessary. MF2C staff should be genuine and flexible to a participant’s needs.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 8 PREVENTION ORDERS One way of managing people who present a high risk of harm to others is by applying for certain behavioural orders. A Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) is an order granted by court at the time of sentencing or on application by the Police to a Civil court. These orders place certain conditions on an individual’s behaviour and provides power of arrest if breached. Initially SOPOs only contained prohibitive measures however after a change of legislation they can now also contain positive obligations. The use of SOPOs can help change the behaviour of certain individuals and can prevent further offending. On 31 March 2023 SOPOs were replaced by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). These orders were introduced by the commencement of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016, Sec 10 to 40. Previously to apply for a SOPO there had to be evidence of a risk of serious sexual harm where now the SHPO is the risk of sexual harm. This lower threshold means they can be applied for in a wider range of circumstances. As of 31 March 2025, there were 19 SOPOs and 28 SHPO’s in place in Tayside. During this reported year 7 individuals were reported for breaching the conditions of their orders. IN 2024 – 2025 In our last report we stated that a training calendar was to be developed. As such training and continuous improvement occurred across the three local authorities with staff from within the Police Sex offender Policing Units and Social Work Public Protection Teams coming together in workshops on information sharing and multi-agency decision making. Chair training has also taken place with now new staff being trained to chair and manage the Level 1 MAPPA meetings. Training continues to be a focus at the MAPPA Operational Group (MOG) with more events planned for 2025/2026. An event has been arranged for training is to be provided to frontline staff on online offending and child sexual exploitation. Chair training will continue for managers who are required to undertake the chairing of MAPPA meetings. Over the past year the MAPPA Co-ordinator has also carried out audits of MAPPA minutes and meetings to identify learning and improve practice. The audits have identified several areas of good working relationships, good information sharing and good attendance by all agencies at MAPPA meetings. Areas of improvement identified is to ensure that all agencies are included in MAPPA meetings, e.g. If Community Mental Health or Drug Recovery Services are involved the relevant support worker should be included in the MAPPA meeting.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 9 Currently work in relation to Care and Risk Management (CARM) for young people identified as presenting a high risk of harm to others has been paused as the Scottish Government are currently reviewing the process. In the interim, all 3 Local Authorities continue to operate existing CARM arrangements. Once the review is finalised, MAPPA will link in with the Child Teams in Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross to agree consistent guidance for staff. Close links continue to be maintained across the three local authorities with the SOG Independent Chair being a member of 3 Chief Officer Groups and the MAPPA Co-ordinator linking with the lead officers of Adult Support and Protection, Child Protection, Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Violence against Women Partnership and Suicide Prevention. Both the SOG Independent Chair and the MAPPA Co-ordinator continue to be members of national groups thus ensuring that any national developments are rolled out and adopted across Tayside. EFFECTIVE PROACTIVE WORK Reoffending rates of people managed under MAPPA are extremely low. This is due to effective risk assessment and risk management of the responsible authorities, including respect of enforcement procedures where a person is unable or unwilling to comply with the requirements. However, risk can never be completely eliminated, and some individuals do commit further crimes. Below are examples of some ongoing proactive work carried out daily to keep the communities of Tayside safe. • Monitoring of electronic devices – this is used to monitor the use of an individual’s device to determine if a RSO has offended again or is behaving in a manner likely to proceed to a criminal offence. • Announced and unannounced visits to the RSO, carried out jointly Justice Social Work and Police, if the RSO is subject to a statutory order. • Individuals who received a term of imprisonment can be managed on licence in the community once their term of imprisonment reaches a certain stage and they are then monitored in the community. If they do not comply with the conditions of their licence they can be recalled to custody to complete their custodial sentence. • Persons who receive a Community Payback Order (CPO) as punishment from the court are monitored closely by Community Justice Social Work to ensure that they comply with requirements of their order. • Once a licence expires RSOs continue to be monitored by Police There is no doubt that by taking quick, proactive action and securing good evidence our communities of Tayside will be protected.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 10 STATISTICAL INFORMATION As of the 31 March 2025 there were 443 registered sex offenders managed in the community of Tayside, this is an increase of 36 from the same date in 2024. Of the 443 there were 144 (32%) on statutory supervision managed by Justice Social Work. The breakdown of each local authority is detailed below: ANGUS 113 ( an increase of 5 from the previous year) DUNDEE 185 (an increase of 13 from the previous year) PERTH & KINROSS 145 (an increase of 18 from the previous year) This increase in numbers may be indicative of the courts still catching up with outstanding cases in covid recovery. During this reporting year 7 individuals were reported for failing to comply with their notification requirements. The numbers of individuals managed under Category 3 remain low, with only 2 being managed in the community in this reporting year. When an individual is convicted of certain sexual offences, as detailed in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and amended by Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009, they are automatically required to adhere to the notification requirements for a detailed duration. The duration periods are: A person who, in respect of the offence, is sentenced to imprisonment of 30 months or more An indefinite period beginning with the relevant date A person who, in respect of the offence, has been made the subject of an order for lifelong restriction An indefinite period beginning with that date A person who, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been admitted to a hospital subject to a restriction order An indefinite period beginning with that date A person who, in respect of the offence, is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of more than 6 months but less than 30 months 10 years beginning with that date A person who, in respect of the offence, is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 6 months or less 7 years beginning with that date A person who, in respect of the offence or finding, is or has been admitted to a hospital without being subject to a restriction order 7 years beginning with that date
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 11 A person in whose case an order for conditional discharge or, receives a community payback order The period of conditional discharge or community payback order A person of any other description eg receives a monetary fine 5 years beginning with the date of conviction. The requirements to register and the duration of the notification period are set out in primary legislation and discretion cannot be exercised by the courts. During this reporting period there have been 111 individuals convicted and made subject to the registration requirements. During this same period 68 individuals have either completed their duration of notification or have passed away. These statistics show that the numbers managed fluctuate and can either increase or decrease over a period. As stated earlier in this report close working of the agencies is vital when managing high risk offenders. When a person is in custody and is approaching their release date the SPS will submit a MAPPA referral to the MAPPA Co- ordinator to allow for a meeting to occur in the community to ensure that a risk management plan is in place for the individual. Over this reporting period 57 prisoners were released from custody and are now managed in the community. WHAT WE WILL DO IN 2025 - 2026 • Review and enhance our continuous improvement activity across the three local authorities, working with other Public Protection partners to strengthen our learning. • Ensure our identification of training needs is relevant and delivered in the right manner to enhance staff capabilities and in a flexible manner to fit busy schedules. • Monitor and assess any national decisions on the release of long-term prisoners to ensure service delivery is unaffected. • Work with partners and national groups to proactively respond to any national learning from published Learning Reviews • Support responsible authorities across Tayside to prepare for the launch of the Multi-Agency Public Protection System (MAPPS). • Work to understand how we can gather the right data for assurance, trend analysis and risk escalation. • Review our current strategic plan for 2023 –26 and agree priorities for the next 3 years.
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Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements Annual Report 2024-2025 12 Designed by Communications, Dundee City Council SM/10/25 MAPPA Co-ordinator Friarfield House Barrack Street Dundee, DD1 1PQ Tel: 01382 435518 Fax: 01382 435080