Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Scotland: National Overview Report 2024-2025

6. Risk Management Authority

The Risk Management Authority (RMA) is a non-departmental public body created by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003, and in operation since 2005. Its purpose is to reduce violent and sexual offending and the harm that it causes by setting the standard for evidence-based, proportionate, human rights-respecting risk assessment and risk management in Scotland.

Harm reduction requires collaborative working across all levels of government and all justice agencies. In 2024-25 the RMA has maintained its strong record of inter-agency partnership working to support the efficient and effective delivery of services to protect the public, promote rehabilitation and, where appropriate, encourage the use of alternatives to custody.

The RMA’s Corporate Plan 2024-2029 and Business Plan 2025-2026 can be found on its website.

Standards and Guidelines for Risk Management

In March 2025, the RMA published updated Standards and Guidelines for Risk Management. These take account of the most up-to-date research on risk assessment and risk management, and are the product of significant engagement with multiple stakeholders including justice agency partners, and victims’ organisations. There have been a number of revisions, including to guidelines on partnership working and victim safety planning. A new risk management plan (RMP) template accompanies the new Standards. Both documents should now be in use across the justice system, and both are available on the website. Further changes are planned to the LS/CMI system to reflect these changes and those are expected to be rolled out in early 2026.

Counter-Terrorism

As part of the Scottish Government Prison Oversight and MAPPA Development Groups, the RMA has continued its work towards embedding evidence-based risk assessment and management in Scotland’s counter-terrorism approach. In July 2024, the RMA hosted an event to launch the Pax Caledonia knowledge exchange network which is a collaboration between the RMA and the HANDA Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence based at the University of St. Andrews. The event was attended by 37 delegates from more than 10 organisations. The network seeks to bring together academics, practitioners, and policy-makers working in the field of counter-terrorism in Scotland, and hosts and contributes to a variety of events throughout the year.

Training, Education, and Support

As implementation of its training and education strategy continues, across 2024-25 the RMA delivered three Fundamentals of Risk Practice courses to a total of 58 justice social work colleagues, and three Police Risk Practice courses which were attended by 60 SOPU officers in total. In addition, eight Scrutinising Risk sessions were delivered across the financial year and were attended by MAPPA Chairs, Co-ordinators, RMT Chairs, and Scottish Prison Service policy and case managers – more than 100 individuals attended in total.

First Grant of Temporary Release (FGTR)

The FGTR pilot has now been in operation for more than two years. The pilot received 47 submissions in 2024-25, with 80 in total received between January 2023, when the pilot formally commenced, and 31^st March 2025. A conclusion was reached on 67 submissions, the others having been withdrawn by the sending establishment before conclusion had been reached. The pilot is scheduled to continue until 2026-27.