Introduction to PPANI

What is PPANI?

PPANI is an acronym for the public protection arrangements in Northern Ireland, which were introduced in October 2008 to make more effective the work the police, probation and others do to manage the risks posed by certain sexual and violent offenders when they are released from prison into the community.  PPANI is not a statutory body in itself but a structure that enables agencies to undertake their statutory duties and coordinate their functions to enhance public protection.

Historical Context

Since 2001, there have been similar multi agency arrangements in place in Northern Ireland, known as multi agency sex offender risk assessment and management (MASRAM).  These were voluntary arrangements, which brought together police, probation, prisons, housing and social services.  In October 2008, the arrangements were provided for in law, which means that specified agencies now have a legal duty to cooperate and share information to help assess and manage risk.  

What agencies are involved?

Article 50 of the Criminal Justice (N.I.) Order 2008, specifies the agencies which have a duty to co-operate to ensure effective assessment and management of the risks posed by certain sexual and violent offenders. 

These agencies are all listed below.

The agencies are:
• Police Service of Northern Ireland
• Probation Board for Northern Ireland
• Northern Ireland Prison Service
• Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts
• Northern Ireland Housing Executive
• NSPCC
• Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
• Youth Justice Agency
• Department of Education
• Department of Employment and Learning
• Department for Social Development
• Education and Library Boards

How do these agencies contribute to public protection?

Police Service of Northern Ireland

The PSNI has a key role to play in protecting the public from those sex offenders and violent offenders who pose a risk of serious harm.  The delivery of this high profile area of core business is essential in maintaining public confidence in the work of the police service.

Probation Board for Northern Ireland

PBNI will assess, manage and supervise offenders who have been made subject to various court orders to help protect the public from harm and reduce re-offending.

Northern Ireland Prison Service

The NIPS provides important information through regular monitoring of the behaviour of offenders in custody, which is vital to the risk assessment and management process.

Social Services

The links between the responsibilities of social services and the other agencies within the public protection framework will principally be in the area of child and vulnerable adult protection and safeguarding.  However, their involvement is also essential when dealing with offenders who have learning difficulties or mental health problems.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive

The co-operation of both social and private housing providers is essential in the delivery of individual risk management plans and controlled information exchange is therefore vital.  Given the importance of accommodation in the assessment and management of risk, NIHE representatives can make an important contribution to the public protection arrangements.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to children

The NSPCC representation ensures there is an independent child protection viewpoint.

Department Of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

DHSSPS cooperates with the other relevant agencies and provides advice on policy, guidance and legislative developments, which relate specifically to protecting children and vulnerable adults.

Youth Justice Agency

The YJA cooperates with other agencies for those young persons under 18 years of age whose risks to the community, in exceptional cases, are to be addressed within the public protection arrangements.

Deptartment of Education/Education and Library Boards

The Department of Education cooperates with other relevant agencies and provides advices on policy, guidance and legislative developments, which relate specifically to protecting children and vulnerable adults.   

Department of Employment and Learning

The sharing of information held by the Department can assist the police in locating offenders who fail to comply with risk management plans.

Department for Social Development

The Department can contribute to the public protection agenda by sharing information about social security benefit and child maintenance details, which can assist the police in locating offenders who fail to comply with risk management plans.