Multi-agency adults at risk system

Last updated 26 February 2020

1. What we do

The multi-agency adults at risk system (MAARS) has been developed to manage adults who are at risk or vulnerable in Stockport.

The need for this project was highlighted through:

findings of high profile Serious Case Reviews nationally and locally. They identified that some adults were at risk of falling through apparent gaps in services. We were criticised for not having a clear pathway for concerns on the basis of risk
a large number of referrals to the Adult Social Care contact centre which were not meeting eligibility thresholds
increasing concerns about risks to vulnerable people in the community

MAARS was created:

to address the needs of adults who are known to agencies but do not engage effectively with them
to address the complex needs of some adults who may have on-going support needs. For example; self-neglect cases, adults who've been excluded from services
to address high levels of demand if an adult is known to a range of services
to help co-ordinate support to individuals from a range of services. This places emphasis on sharing risk and more effective joint working to create better outcomes and life chances

We aim to:

provide a single pathway for partner agencies and colleagues to highlight adults at risk in the community. Adults may come into contact with services but not necessarily meet the threshold for those services
provide a multi-agency forum to collaborate and co-ordinate action across services, reduce duplication and agree the best way to work with the adults current needs and prevent crisis
to better understand and reduce risk. To attempt to proactively reduce demand on services through a more efficient and informed use of available resources

Referrals