Multi-Agency work in Scotland (Safer, Sooner)

Joining the dots for an effective multi-agency response

Safer, Sooner is SafeLives Scotland’s programme of work related to the support and development of Maracs in Scotland. Funded through the Delivering Equally Safe Fund, Safer Sooner builds on previous years of Scottish Government support Marac development.

We believe in a risk-led response where early identification, specialist support and a strong multi-agency response are fundamental to improve safety and outcomes.

Through Safer, Sooner, we aim to improve multi-agency capability, consistency, and capacity across Scotland, making it everyone’s business to keep women and children safer, sooner.

I am who you are discussing at a Marac, it is me and my children that you are keeping safe and allowing to stay in my own home and it is my perpetrator that you are holding to account. Maracs are an invaluable service in keeping people safe and alive, quite frankly I believe I am here today because of the safety measures put in place resulting from my Marac.

AV Panel Member

Safer, Sooner project outcomes

Through this work:

Victims/survivors will better understand the process they are at the centre of, so they get the right support for themselves and can help make others safer, sooner

Policy makers (at local, regional, and national level) will be supported to achieve their Equally Safe strategy with robust evidence, expert advice, and the voices of survivors

Maracs will become more embedded within public protection systems, so they help achieve the best outcomes and increase safety for women and children consistently across Scotland

How to get involved

Contact the Scotland team

We want to ensure that Marac professionals in Scotland, policy makers and frontline services have access to the right support, networks, and resources. You can engage with Safer, Sooner in the following ways:

Join our networks

Marac Chairs/Coordinators Network

The Marac Chair and Coordinator networks connects professionals who Chair or Coordinate Marac meetings across Scotland. It provides:

A space to share updates from local Maracs – what’s working well, challenges and emerging patterns.
Peer support and the opportunity to discuss complex challenges and best practices.
Share resources, knowledge, and experience.
A forum to contribute to national discussions about Marac.

Join the Chairs Network

Join the Coordinators Forum