1. The Introduction and Implementation of a system of Sex Offender Risk Assessment / Management in the Probation Service

2. Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management

3. SORAM – A Brief Overview
Joint management of sex offenders between An
Garda Síochána and The Probation Service with
involvement of the Child and Family Agency
(Tusla) and Local Authorities where there are Child
Protection and Housing concerns

4. SORAM Partner Agencies

5. National SORAM Steering Group
SORAM - Structure
National SORAM Steering Group
Meets every quarter
Governs the National SORAM Office
Includes representatives from Irish Prison Service/ Cosc
National SORAM Office
Opened October 2013
4 Partner Agencies – AGS, Probation, Tusla, Housing.
Development of policy/ procedures/ oversight of LSTs
Local SORAM Teams
4 Partner Agencies
Develop individual risk assessment management plan for each
offender in local SORAM team.

6. Local SORAM Team Attendance
Garda Inspector Senior Probation Officer PSW/ SWTL SOLO
Liaison Garda Probation Officer Allocated/ Duty Social Worker Invited External Professionals
Future Professionals?

7. SORAM – Entry Criteria Not ALL sex offenders are in SORAM
Must be subject to Probation Service Supervision AND
Convicted Sex Offenders who are subject to Part 2 of Sex Offenders Act 2001 – notification requirements. OR
Sex Offender with previous sexual offence conviction or whose offence has a clear sexual component and are subject to Probation Supervision.
At least Medium on the RM 2000 scale – exceptions….

9. Risk Assessment and Management Plan
The RAMP is the cornerstone of SORAM.
There are 2 RAMP Forms ( RMP1 and RMP2 Update and Action Sheet).
The RMP1 must be completed for every offender who is subject to SORAM management.

10. Risk Assessment and Management Plan
The RMP1 is completed for the first SORAM meeting on an offender.
The Update Report and Action Sheet (RMP2) is then used for all subsequent meetings in relation to each offender.
A new RMP2 Form is used each time an offender is discussed at the Local SORAM Meeting.

11. Risk Assessment and Management Plan
Joint/Inter-Agency completion of forms/work.
All risk factors identified and discussed.
All risks actioned and outcomes clearly recorded.
These forms were created by the NSO.
Ensures defensible practice /standardises practice nationally.

19. Intervention & Treatment
SORAM Risk Management Pillars
Supervision
Monitor & Control
Intervention & Treatment
Victim Safety Planning
Each agency contributes to multi agency risk management within their own agency and legislative remit. Probation more of a fit for the supervision and intervention/ treatment pillar. AGS – Monitor and Control. Victim safety planning – the restriction of access to current and future victims as is one of the aims of Tusla/ Housing needs assessment. Enforcement (external controls) will aim to manage the identified risk through placing requirements and restrictions, court ordered or otherwise, on an individual offender and by monitoring changes in circumstances and behaviour. Encouragement (internal controls) will seek to support and promote the offenders self management. Good risk management also encourages pro-active work with the offender where possible to decrease their risk and support to decrease the factors associated with their risk and to enhance protective factors.

20. SORAM – Future Developments
SORAM is still a pilot pending legislation.
Further integration of Tusla/ Local Authorities – ongoing training on SORAM.
Ongoing support/development of Local SORAM Teams.
Juveniles.
New SORAM partner agencies e.g. mental health.
Pre Release SORAM Meetings within Prisons.
Further contact with PPANI/ MAPPA.

21. Statistics Summary of Stable Data April 2017 1st Stables
Year Stable Completed
No.
2010 59
2011 99
2012 90
2013 92
2014 53
2015 50
2016 65
2017 9
Total
517
Risk-Level
Number %
1-Low 57
11.0%
2-Moderate
316
61.1%
3-High
144
27.9%
Total
517
100%

22. Statistics contd. Summary of Stable Data April 2017 Subsequent Stables
Year Stable Completed
No.
2010 9
2011 37
2012 54
2013 53
2014
2015 42
2016 41
2017 10
Total
308
Risk-Level
Number %
1-Low 24
7.8%
2-Moderate
199
65.0%
3-High 83
27.1%
Total
306
100%

23. PS Sex Offender Data As of March 30th 2017 No.
1. All Sex Offenders Community
258
2. Sex Offenders served sentence
183
3. Sex Offenders Community no sentence 75
4. Current Cases Subject to SORAM
195

24. Other Services / Supports
PACE is a community based non-governmental organisation (NGO)
Operates three separate services for people convicted of harmful sexual behaviour and who are classified as being of medium to high risk of reoffending
They are:
Safer Lives Treatment Programme
Foothold Floating Support Service
Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA)
All of these services are funded by the Probation Service