Contracts for Innovation Cymru - Transforming Multi-Agency Safeguarding for High-Risk Domestic Abuse in South Wales

Overview

Domestic abuse remains one of the most significant public protection challenges facing South Wales. For people assessed as being at highest risk of serious harm or homicide, timely safeguarding interventions and effective multi-agency coordination can be critical in reducing harm and improving safety outcomes. South Wales Police and its partners currently deliver safeguarding through the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process. MARAC is a long-established mechanism that brings organisations together to share information, assess risk and coordinate actions for victims experiencing high-risk domestic abuse. It remains one of the most important safeguarding arrangements available to public services and plays a vital role in protecting some of the most vulnerable people in society. However, the current model is under increasing pressure. Across South Wales, more than 5,000 high-risk domestic abuse cases are managed annually through seven separate MARAC arrangements operating across Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. Together, these arrangements account for approximately 44% of MARAC demand across Wales. Different governance structures, processes and operating approaches have evolved over time, resulting in variation in delivery, increasing administrative burden and challenges in maintaining consistency across the region. Demand continues to increase whilst cases become more complex. In some areas, approximately 70 cases may be discussed during a single weekly MARAC process, and concerns have been raised regarding delays between referral, discussion and action. National reviews, safeguarding investigations and wider research have highlighted issues relating to fragmented information sharing, inconsistent processes and delays in identifying and responding to escalating risk. South Wales Police, working alongside regional MARAC governance groups, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and wider safeguarding partners, has identified an opportunity to explore whether a different approach could deliver faster, more consistent and more effective safeguarding outcomes. The challenge has been developed following significant stakeholder engagement and reflects a shared recognition that future approaches may need to move beyond the traditional meeting-based MARAC model. ________________________________________ The Challenge We are seeking innovative organisations to help South Wales Police and its partners explore how high-risk domestic abuse safeguarding could operate differently in the future. This challenge is intentionally outcome-focused and does not prescribe a specific technology, product type or delivery model. Applicants are encouraged to propose the approach they believe will best address the challenge and demonstrate how their expertise could help develop a more responsive, coordinated and sustainable safeguarding model for South Wales. The challenge is not simply about introducing new technology or digitising existing MARAC meetings. Whilst technology, data and artificial intelligence may form part of the solution, partners have identified the need to explore wider service, governance and operating model redesign. We are interested in organisations capable of helping answer questions such as: • How can risk be identified, prioritised and escalated more effectively? • How can organisations work together more dynamically and efficiently? • How can safeguarding actions be coordinated more effectively across agencies? • How can professionals spend less time managing administration and more time safeguarding vulnerable people? • How can information be shared more effectively whilst maintaining appropriate governance and accountability? • How can future models remain practical, affordable and sustainable? • How can innovation support improved safeguarding outcomes without creating additional complexity? Applicants should not assume that t