FAQ – SORAM

FAQ – Sex Offender Risk Assessment & Management

Question	Answer
What is SORAM?	SORAM (Sex Offender Risk Assessment and Management) provides a structure for multi-agency working arrangements and is led jointly by An Garda Síochána and the Probation Service, with the active support of the Child and Family Agency, Local Authority Housing and the Irish Prison Service.
What is the purpose of SORAM?	SORAM supports co-operation and co-ordination between key statutory agencies involved in managing the risk posed to the community by convicted sex offenders and in safeguarding the welfare of children.
Are all sex offenders managed through SORAM?	No, not all sex offenders are managed through SORAM. Only offenders who are convicted of a scheduled sexual offence and meet the relevant entry criteria are managed in SORAM.
What are the entry criteria for inclusion in SORAM?	In order for a sex offender to be considered for management through SORAM the sex offender must: · have a conviction for a scheduled sexual offence · be subject to Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act, 2001 as amended (notification requirements) and/or · be subject to the supervision of the Probation Service Further to this a Garda Inspector and Senior Probation Officer must be satisfied and deem it necessary to manage the risk posed by the offender through SORAM.
How long is a sex offender included in SORAM?	The length of time subject to management in SORAM is dependent on the offender still meeting the criteria for entry into SORAM
How does SORAM work at a local level?	In each of the 28 Garda Divisions, there is a Local SORAM Team composed of a Garda Inspector, Senior Probation Officer, Principal Social Worker and Local Authority (Housing) – Sex Offender Liaison Officer. Monitoring Gardaí, supervising Probation Officers and assigned Social Workers for the sex offenders included in the Local SORAM Team area will attend meetings as necessitated. Each Team meets every 10-12 weeks to discuss the offenders, including their risk assessments, current presenting behaviours, etc. and a risk assessment and management plan is drawn up by the team to manage the risk posed by each of these sex offenders.