Updated guidance for managing sexual and violent offenders published

The management of sexual offenders and violent offenders (MOSOVO) authorised professional practice (APP) is the authoritative source of professional practice for policing in this area.

It supports police officers, staff and multi-agency partners in managing sexual offenders, violent offenders and potentially dangerous persons.

What has changed 

The College has worked with the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) MOSOVO task and finish group to ensure the APP is legally accurate, operationally current and aligned with national guidance. It is now clearer, more coherent and easier to use, with outdated legislation, discontinued guidance and duplicated content removed.

Important legal updates, including changes introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, and strengthened terminology and definitions have been incorporated. These are improvements to clarity and usability, nothing fundamental has changed about how offenders are managed. What has changed is the clarity with which practitioners can find the guidance they need, understand their responsibilities, and make confident, well-informed decisions.

Strengthened multi-agency guidance 

Effective public protection depends on strong partnerships, and multi-agency working sits at the heart of MOSOVO practice. The updated APP reflects the most up‑to‑date MAPPA framework, including clearer guidance relating to category 4 terrorist offenders and improved consistency in language around risk assessment and offender management. The APP has also been updated to ensure alignment with current ViSOR and MAPPA standards.

It strengthens expectations around the roles and responsibilities of:

• police
• HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS)
• youth offending teams
• multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) partners

Updated information-sharing guidance reflects the Data Protection Act 2018 and supports better collaboration across agencies, contributing to more consistent practice and improved outcomes for public safety. 

Clearer guidance on risk assessment 

The updated APP provides more precise guidance on established risk assessment tools, including: 

• offender assessment system (OASys)
• sexual reoffending predictor
• active risk management system

Updated descriptions of dynamic and static risk factors are in line with NPCC guidance to support better-informed, evidence-based decision-making at every stage of offender management. 

Supporting MOSOVO practitioners 

MOSOVO officers and staff carry out demanding, critical work. The updated APP continues to recognise the importance of well-led, appropriately resourced MOSOVO units, where training, staff welfare and manageable workloads are essential to delivering effective public protection. 

These updates give practitioners and managers the clarity they need to carry out this vital work with confidence.

Go to the MOSOVO APP