The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) brings key professionals together to facilitate early, better quality information sharing, analysis and decision-making, to safeguard vulnerable children and young people more effectively.
What is the role of MASH?
MASH provides triage and multi-agency assessment of safeguarding concerns – in respect of vulnerable children and adults. It brings together professionals from a range of agencies into an integrated multi-agency team.
What services are in mash?
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) has been set up to enable the sharing of information between services so risks to children can be identified at an early stage. It is a link between schools, GPs, the police, ambulance service and social care.
What happens when Mash gets involved?
When someone reports a concern to the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team they make assessment of the risk to the child and make a decision on what to do to best protect that child. To make an informed decision the team share and gather information from partner agencies, children and their families.
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
A Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is a team which brings together agencies (and their information) in order to identify risks to children at the earliest possible point and respond with the most effective interventions.
Can Mash take children away?
We will need to ask your permission to refer your child to the MASH. The only time this will not happen is if we have concerns that your child is suffering, has suffered, or is likely to suffer harm.
Complain to the Local Government Ombudsman
The LGO investigates complaints where the council may have made the decision in the wrong way. They can recommend what the council can do to make up for their decision. You can find more information about this on the LGO website.
Why would you contact MASH?
If someone is concerned about the safety and welfare of a child, they can contact the MASH, which is a partnership of agencies with a duty to keep children safe. Contact the MASH on 020 8314 6660 and ask to speak with a duty social worker.
How long does it take for MASH to contact you?
After submitting a MASH contact
You should expect to initially hear from a MASH social worker within 1 working day to let you know if the contact has been accepted. If the contact is accepted then you should be kept informed of the outcome within a week of it being accepted.
What are the benefits of MASH?
The benefits of having a MASH are: Established pathways for information gathering and access to services from all partners. Maximised effectiveness of multi-agency information gathering and decision making. It aids decision making by providing an earlier richer picture.
What happens after a child safeguarding referral is made?
What happens if Children’s Services decide to conduct an assessment following a referral? Unless the child or children in question requires immediate protection, the majority of cases will begin with a social worker conducting a multi-agency assessment under section 17 of the Children Act 1989.
What happens when a safeguarding referral is made?
A person will be identified lead the enquiry and they will always talk to the adult at risk wherever they can. They can arrange for the adult at risk to be supported by an advocate.
Do all child protection referrals go through mash?
All referrals to Children’s Social Care are first dealt with by the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). If you don’t believe the risk requires immediate action, contact the MASH team to discuss your concerns with a social worker.
What does MASH mean in mental health?
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is Oldham’s first point of contact for safeguarding referrals to protect children, young people or adults from harm, abuse or neglect. It is responsible for care and support services which help individuals or families to: Access the Early Help Service.
Who is involved in a multi agency team?
Multi-agency partnership working is where practitioners from more than one agency work together jointly, sharing aims, information, tasks and responsibilities in order to intervene early to prevent problems arising which may impact on chil- dren’s learning and achievement.
When should a MASH referral be made?
If we feel the child is at risk we will insist that you make a referral. If the situation is an emergency we would expect you to contact the MASH team immediately. The Consultation Line is now open Monday to Friday between 11am and 12noon.
What are the four 4 categories of abusive?
There are four main categories of child abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Find out more about each below, as well as the warning signs that a child may be being abused.
A senior social worker will look at what you’ve said, check records and make any more enquiries they need to. Within one working day, they’ll decide if the child’s at risk and what service is best to help and protect the child.
A social worker from the referral and assessment service will assess your children and families’ needs. Sometimes we’ll ask other specialists to help us, such as our health specialist for children under five. We may also visit you with other professionals known to you.
A social worker or a police official may remove a child from their home and place the child in temporary safe care without a court order. However, there must be reasonable grounds for believing that the child is in need of care and protection, is in immediate danger, and needs immediate emergency protection.
What happens in a safeguarding investigation?
The investigation will involve: face-to-face contact with the adult at risk of harm including where relevant an assessment of capacity. ascertaining the views and wishes of the adult at risk and providing appropriate support. undertaking an assessment of risk of harm.