FLIC piloted a Multiple Disadvantage (MD) MARAC representative role1 for over two years. This role was designed to improve actions, outcomes and case coordination for victims/survivors presented at MARAC meetings who experience domestic violence and abuse (DVA) alongside other forms of multiple disadvantage. The role also incorporates the delivery of specific Multiple Disadvantage MARAC training to local partner services. The role began in one London Borough initially, with a pause during the Covid-19 pandemic, and was later replicated in a second borough.

Aims of the MD role...

Responsibilities of the MD MARAC role...

FLIC commissioned PraxisCollab to evaluate the MD MARAC Role. Below are the recommendations from the report... 

For FLIC or services implementing the MD rep role

• Create a role that is adequately resourced to carry out this work. Either through a part time MD rep role; a full-time tri-borough MD rep role; or by allocating a proportion of time within an existing fulltime role to carry out these duties comprehensively.
• Establish information sharing agreements and access to databases of other homelessness organisations to enable access to up-to-date information for researching MARAC cases.
• Recruit experienced multiple disadvantage practitioners to the MD rep role with existing networks across relevant agencies and strong relationship building skills.
• Ensure the role is well supported with supervision, access to reflective practice and clinical supervision, and ongoing up to date training related to all aspects of MD training.
• Establish consistent data collection systems capable of tracking outcomes and impact of the role to demonstrate value to funders and difference made to beneficiaries. Consult with researchers with expertise in impact and measurement to develop a practical, robust framework.

For MARAC panels

• Explore ways of developing the MARAC format to ensure sufficient time and energy for panel members to discuss, reflect on and action plan for multiple disadvantage cases.
• Encourage the uptake of training for all panel members in multiple disadvantage to promote shared knowledge, understanding and responsibility to effectively meet the needs of MD cases.
• MARAC Coordinators to invite homelessness agencies and multiple disadvantage specialists to MARAC to enhance expertise and bring up-to-date information on these cases.

For partner services

• Create multiple disadvantage specialist lead roles within VAWG services and homelessness services to drive shared understanding of multiple disadvantage and to work collaboratively across sectors to improve and enhance provision.
• For the homelessness sector: make training on VAWG, DVA and multiple disadvantage a mandatory part of staff induction and ongoing core training, including training on the role and process of MARAC, including how to make referrals and what actions can be requested from the panel.
• For DVA practitioners, including IDVAs: to develop closer partnership working with homelessness services and MD reps to ensure that homeless victim/survivors have an effective network of support.

For commissioners

• DVA/VAWG and housing/homelessness commissioners to develop a strategic, coordinated response in each borough to ensure people experiencing domestic abuse and multiple disadvantage are effectively supported.
• Commission training for all homelessness agency staff on VAWG, DVA and multiple disadvantage to increase ability of practitioners to identify abuse accurately, respond and refer to specialist services.

Download the full report here.