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

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 technology alone is the answer.

We welcome proposals that combine service design, systems thinking, operational redesign, governance innovation, behavioural approaches, digital innovation, data, analytics and artificial intelligence to explore how multi-agency safeguarding could evolve. ________________________________________ Desired Outcomes We are interested in approaches that can contribute towards measurable improvements in one or more of the following areas. Safeguarding Outcomes • Earlier identification of escalating risk. • Faster safeguarding interventions. • Improved protection for people at highest risk of harm. • Reduced repeat victimisation. • Improved management of complex and repeat cases. • Better safeguarding outcomes for victims and families.

Victim Experience • More consistent safeguarding support regardless of location. • Improved coordination between agencies. • Reduced delays in accessing support. • More responsive safeguarding interventions. • Improved confidence in safeguarding processes. • More person-centred approaches to safety planning. Professional Practice • Reduced administrative burden. • Better access to relevant information. • Improved coordination and communication between organisations. • Better visibility of decisions and actions. • Improved accountability and action tracking. • More professional time focused on safeguarding activity.

Service Delivery and Equity • Reduced variation between different MARAC arrangements. • More consistent safeguarding approaches across South Wales. • Improved information sharing. • Better visibility of risk. • More equitable safeguarding outcomes regardless of geography. • Improved partnership working. System Outcomes • Better use of public resources. • Reduced duplication of activity. • Improved operational intelligence. • Improved governance and oversight. • Stronger evidence for future service transformation. • Improved understanding and measurement of safeguarding outcomes.

Sustainability • Affordable and scalable approaches. • Long-term sustainability beyond the funded project period. • A realistic route to implementation. • Approaches capable of supporting future adoption in other regions where appropriate. • Creation of capability that can support future safeguarding transformation. Applicants should clearly identify which outcomes their project is expected to influence and explain how impact will be assessed.

Phase 1: Discovery and Concept Development This challenge is being delivered as a Phase 1 Contracts for Innovation Cymru competition. South Wales Police and partners recognise that this is a complex system challenge.

Whilst the need for change has been identified, there is not yet a single agreed solution or future model. This competition is therefore focused on discovery, exploration, evidence generation and concept development.

We are seeking organisations capable of helping define what a future safeguarding model might look like, which has the potential for scalability across other MARAC areas and what practical steps may be required to implement it. Funding Allocation and Project Details Competition Type: Phase 1 Discovery and Concept Development Funding Available: Up to £60k per project Number of Projects: Up to 6 projects The total funding available for the competition can change and the funders reserve the right to adjust the provisional funding allocations, i.e., should additional funding become available