I am really pleased to have this opportunity to contribute my thoughts on the Multi-agency Resolution Group (MaRG) as I have had the privilege to be its Independent Chair since June 2022.
The Group comprises of senior members of a wide range of public, community and voluntary sector organisations and our role is to find ways to overcome the barriers to progress that arise in some cases involving those experiencing multiple disadvantage. The cases that are introduced to the MaRG are invariably those where the usual approaches to support have proved to be inappropriate and ineffective. Consequently, we must develop bespoke, multi-faceted solutions that require collaborative approaches which share the workloads involved between several partners, who use the needs of the person involved as the key consideration when determining the most appropriate support arrangements for them.
The complexity of the cases the Group deals with is high and developing support plans has required significant innovation and creativity to identify the interventions needed. The plans that are developed are aligned, co-ordinated and integrated to give them the best chance of being effective. This way of working requires strong professional relationships, particularly owing to the often dynamic and sometimes turbulent nature of the cases being dealt with, where progress that’s made can be lost, as recovery journeys for those experiencing multiple disadvantage are rarely linear. This also means that plans need to be flexible and, because of the innovative and creative approaches that are involved, often need to be amended or adapted at short notice to respond to changing circumstances.
Each case considered by the MaRG is unique in relation to the specific circumstances being experienced by the person involved, although there have been some common themes associated with most, if not all of them. These include:
- Homelessness
- Substance misuse (often involving monkey dust)
- Poor mental health (regularly because of experiencing trauma)
- Involvement with the criminal justice system, and
- Chaotic or unpredictable behaviour.
As we have designed innovative and creative approaches in these cases, it has been important to capture the learning from the actions that have been taken, as not all have achieved the outcomes that were intended. Again, the approaches taken in each case have been unique and actions that have proved successful in one case have not necessarily proved as effective in another. However, there have been some approaches that have proved to have had a positive impact in most cases. These are:
- Case co-ordination;
- Shared risk and information management; and
- Involvement of Expert Citizens
Consequently, we are keen to build these key factors into the plans that we develop for all cases that are introduced to the Group.
Another significant factor that has helped deliver positive outcomes has been the tireless commitment to helping those in need and the seemingly endless compassion and determination demonstrated by the members of the MaRG to doing all they can to help deliver improved outcomes for some of the most vulnerable people in Stoke on Trent. For that, I am extremely grateful, enthused, inspired and confident that we will successfully meet whatever challenges we may face in the future!
Peter Dartford
Independant Chair
Multi-agency Resolution Group (MaRG)
