PSNI Management of Sex Offenders Detective Chief Superintendent George Clarke Public Protection Branch

Public Protection Branch includes: Rape Crime Unit Child Internet Protection Team Offender Management Central Referral Unit and 5 Public Protection Units (PPUs) which are aligned with Health & Social Care Trust boundaries and comprised of - Child Abuse Office CSE Officers Domestic Abuse Office Local Offender Management Adult Safeguarding

Referral for Offender Management Sexual offenders - any conviction for serious sexual offence (Schedule 3 SOA) - anyone subject to a Risk of Sexual Harm Order - anyone subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order Violent offenders - any conviction for AOABH or above - committed in a domestic relationship - aggravated by Hate Crime - any conviction for violence - against a child or vulnerable adult - anyone subject to a Violent Offences Prevention Order (Can also be referred where threshold has not been met, but an agency has current significant concerns)

Public Protection Arrangements for Northern Ireland (PPANI) On conviction of any qualifying offence: - details are automatically referred to PPANI by NICS - can be manually referred by any agency - PPANI Links assess suitability for inclusion in PPANI - referral to Local Area Public Protection Panel (multi-agency) - Categorisation (1-3) assessment

Multi-agency set-up Police Service Northern Ireland Probation Board Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Prison Service HSC Boards & HSC Trusts NI Housing Executive Youth Justice Agency Department of Education Department for Employment & Learning Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety Department for Social Development Education & Library Boards NSPCC

Offender Categorisation Following risk assessment process at LAPPP, offender is assigned either: Category 1 - “Someone whose previous offending, current behaviour and current circumstances present little evidence that they will cause serious harm.” Category 2 - “Someone whose previous offending, current behaviour and current circumstances present clear and identifiable evidence that they could cause serious harm through carrying out a contact sexual or violent offence.” Category 3 - “Someone whose previous offending, and/or current behaviour and/or current circumstances present clear and identifiable evidence that they are highly likely to cause serious harm through carrying out a contact sexual or violent offence.”

Category 1 Management - referred back to lead agency to identify and manage risks (eg. PSNI will manage Cat1 offenders not subject to statutory supervision) - risk management includes registration with PSNI, and minimum annual home visit from Designated Risk Manager - case can be referred back into PPANI for assessment if the lead agency can evidence risks posed by the offender have increased - although Cat1 offenders are managed by the lead agency, multi-agency discussions to assess risk at LAPPP

Category 2 Management - all Cat2 are subject to multi-agency risk management plan, overseen by an appointed Designated Risk Manager - DRM responsibility for Cat2 is based on whether the offender is subject to statutory supervision / is in custody or the community - every Cat2 discussed at LAPPP every 16 weeks to adjust management plan or re-categorise as required

Category 3 Management - all Cat3 are subject to a risk management plan delivered by the co-located Public Protection Team (PPT) - PPT is multi-agency PSNI, PBNI & Social Services (based at PSNI Seapark) - PPT have responsibility for the supervision/ risk management of all Cat3 offenders across NI - every Cat3 discussed at LAPPP every 16 weeks to adjust management plan or re-categorise as required

Removal from Sex Offender register - application for Removal from Indefinite Notification (after 15 years, for approval by Chief Constable) - expiration of pre-determined Notification Period (managed by PPANI Links) NB. after removal, offender details are still recorded on Niche / ViSOR and can be reactivated if required Sentence Notification requirement Prison for 30 months Indefinite Prison for 6-30 months 10 years Prison for less than 6 months 7 years Cautioned 2 years Conditional discharge Duration of conditions Any other disposal (eg. fine) 5 years

Child Protection Disclosure Scheme Launched 14/03/16, 11 applications made to date. No disclosure has taken place as yet. Each application is reviewed to evaluate any requirement to disclose a criminal record. Disclosed to person with responsibility for a child (usually parent/guardian) and not applicant. “LEGAL AUTHORITY: Common Law power to disclose information about a persons convictions where there is a need for such disclosure to protect the public from crime AND Disclosure would not be in breach of the Human Rights Act 1998, Data Protection Act 1998 or a breach of confidence”