Public Protection Arrangements in Northern Ireland

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Public Protection Arrangements Northern Ireland (PPANI)?

To provide support services for victims

To rehabilitate offenders

To protect the public from serious harm (correct)

To impose harsher sentences on offenders

Which of the following agencies is NOT listed as a core agency in the PPANI?

Health & Social Care Trusts (HSCTs)

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI)

Northern Ireland Fire Service (NIFS) (correct)

How are offenders who pose a significant risk to the public managed within the PPANI framework?

Through individual agency management plans

By increasing surveillance of the offenders

Through multi-agency Local Area Public Protection Panels (LAPPPs) (correct)

By a single regulatory body overseeing all cases

What role does the Probation Board for Northern Ireland play in the PPANI?

Assessing and managing offenders' risks Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the risk management plan developed for certain offenders?

To minimize the likelihood of re-offending Signup and view all the answers

Which department is NOT mentioned as a signatory to the Public Protection Arrangements?

Department of International Affairs Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main goals of assessing the risk posed by sexual and violent offenders?

To enhance public safety Signup and view all the answers

What kind of offenders would require multi-agency management under PPANI?

High-risk sex offenders and violent offenders Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the submission regarding the PPANI Index Offence?

The date of the Index Offence Signup and view all the answers

What type of referrals should be noted under the safeguarding section?

Referrals to Social Services, e.g., UNOCINI Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary when summarising child protection concerns?

Full details regarding names and dates of birth Signup and view all the answers

What should agencies focus on when detailing reasons for referral?

How the offender meets the criteria in Section 3.1 Signup and view all the answers

What must be confirmed through Trust Offender Investigation Units?

Confirmation of MARAC referral outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Who among the following is subject to the notification requirements of Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003?

A registered sex offender Signup and view all the answers

What type of offenses can lead to inclusion under the criteria of PPANI post-2010?

Violent offenses in domestic or family circumstances Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the PPANI Referral Form?

To assess referrals against established inclusion criteria Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals is NOT included in the criteria for PPANI?

An individual previously convicted of fraud Signup and view all the answers

What is the timeline required for submitting a referral form for Registered Sex Offenders serving custodial sentences?

At least three months prior to their earliest release date Signup and view all the answers

Who has the responsibility for submitting the PPANI Referral Form in relation to violent offenders post-conviction?

PSNI Investigating Officers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a risk of Sexual Harm Order (RSHO)?

An order related to individuals at risk of committing sexual offenses Signup and view all the answers

What criteria distinguishes Category 3 offenders from other categories?

They have clear evidence of the likelihood to cause serious harm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the LAPPPs multi-agency forum?

Operational delivery of Public Protection Arrangements. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for referrals made in respect of individuals with prior convictions before the introduction of PPANI?

Current significant concerns must exist regarding the individual Signup and view all the answers

How often are Category 2 offenders reviewed?

Every 16 weeks. Signup and view all the answers

What does Category 1 indicate regarding an offender's risk level?

No requirement for multi-agency intervention. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about offenders categorised as Category 2?

They may require multi-agency intervention. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if relevant information for the PPANI referral cannot be sourced?

Record it as N/K. Signup and view all the answers

What is an exceptional circumstance for referring an offender categorised before 2008?

Current behaviors have raised significant concerns. Signup and view all the answers

What should the referring agency ensure while completing the PPANI referral form?

Source all relevant information as fully as possible. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the PPANI Referral Form?

To determine eligibility for inclusion in PPANI Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the Referral Form regarding current Significant Concerns?

Details on how Serious Harm is met Signup and view all the answers

In the event that a referral does not meet the eligibility criteria, what is the first step the referrer should take?

Contact their Line Manager for clarification Signup and view all the answers

What role does the PPANI Coordinator play during the referral meeting?

They chair the meeting and make final decisions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for referrers to contact the PPANI Links Team before submitting a referral?

To confirm if a previous referral has been made Signup and view all the answers

What must the Referral Form evidence in relation to the Serious Harm definition?

How the case meets the Serious Harm definition Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the referral agency and the PPANI Links Team do not agree on the referral's appropriateness?

The PPANI Coordinator decides on the matter at the referral meeting Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if new information emerges before the Referral Meeting?

The referral agency should send it to the PPANI Links Team Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Public Protection Arrangements for Northern Ireland (PPANI)

PPANI is a set of arrangements, not an organisation, implemented by the Criminal Justice Order (NI) 2008
Core agencies involved in PPANI:
- Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)
- Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI)
- Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS)
- Health & Social Care Trusts (HSCTs)
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)
Other agencies involved:
- Youth Justice Agency
- Department of Education
- Department for Employment & Learning
- Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety
- Department for Communities
- NSPCC
The purpose of PPANI is to protect the public from serious harm by managing risks associated with sexual and violent offenders.
Agencies work together to assess and manage risk, implementing risk management plans when necessary
Offenders are managed in accordance with the statutory responsibilities of relevant agencies.
Multi-agency management is implemented for specific offenders through Local Area Public Protection Panels (LAPPPs)

Criteria for Inclusion in PPANI

The following individuals are included in the PPANI system:
- Persons subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Persons convicted of a violent offence (including homicide) against a child or vulnerable adult since 6.10.2008
- Persons convicted of a violent offence (including homicide) in domestic or family circumstances since 1.4.2010
- Persons convicted of a violent offence (including homicide) aggravated by hostility and receiving an enhanced sentence since 1.9.2011
- Persons subject to a Risk of Sexual Harm Order (RSHO) and associated notification requirements
Referrals can also be made for individuals with prior convictions for eligible offences pre-dating PPANI if there are current significant concerns.

Referral Process

All referrals must be made using the PPANI Referral Form and submitted to the PSNI PPANI Links Team.
Automatic notification for registered sex offenders is received through ViSOR Management Unit.
For offenders serving custodial sentences, a referral form is required three months prior to their earliest release date.
The PSNI Investigating Officer is responsible for submitting referral forms for violent offenders.
The PPANI Links Team assesses referrals for compliance with the criteria.

Referral Form Completion

The Referral Form must be fully completed and contain evidence supporting the criteria for inclusion.
Evidence must be provided within the form demonstrating how the case meets the criteria, including serious harm and current significant concerns.
Referrers should contact the PPANI Links Team prior to submitting a referral to check if a previous referral exists, and should liaise with other agencies for additional information.
All referrals are potentially disclosable, including in a court of law.

Referral Dispute Resolution

If a referral agency disagrees with the PPANI Links Team about a referral's eligibility, the following process applies:
- Line manager of the referrer contacts the PPANI Links Team Executive Officer.
- If resolution is not achieved, the referrer contacts the PPANI Coordinator and requests a referral meeting.
- Additional information can be forwarded to the PPANI Links Team prior to the meeting.
- The referral meeting is chaired by the PPANI Coordinator with all information presented.
- The PPANI Coordinator makes the final decision on the referral's appropriateness.

Local Area Public Protection Panels (LAPPPs)

Upon acceptance of a referral, the offender's case is discussed at a LAPPP.
LAPPPs are multi-agency forums responsible for the operational delivery of PPANI.
Following risk assessment, offenders are categorized:
- Category 1: No requirement for multi-agency intervention; minimal risk.
- Category 2: Requirement for multi-agency intervention; reviewed every 16 weeks; clear evidence of potential harm.
- Category 3: Requirement for intense and focused multi-agency intervention reviewed every 16 weeks; high likelihood of causing serious harm.

Guidance Notes for Completing a PPANI Referral Form

Referrers should attempt to source all relevant information.
The PPANI Index Offence refers to the qualifying offence that brought the offender into PPANI.
The PPANI Index Offence remains the qualifying offence even if further convictions for PPANI-eligible offences occur.
For prison-based practitioners, the qualifying PPANI Index Offence may not be the same as the offence related to the offender's current custodial sentence.
Referrers should provide a clear and concise summary of the offender's PPANI-eligible Index Offence.
Referrers should provide a summary of relevant victim concerns, including their contact details.
Referrers should provide details of any safeguarding referrals, including child protection and vulnerable adult concerns.
Referrers should confirm if the victim has been subject to MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz explores the Public Protection Arrangements for Northern Ireland (PPANI), a vital framework established under the Criminal Justice Order (NI) 2008. It covers the various core and other agencies involved, their roles, and the purpose of PPANI in managing risks from sexual and violent offenders. Test your knowledge of how these collaborations aim to protect the public.