Overview of MASH
MASH training
What is a MASH?
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Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
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A MASH is a centre which brings together agencies (and
their information) in order to:
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identify risks to children at the earliest possible point
and respond with the most effective interventions.
A MASH carries out joint confidential screening, research
and referral of vulnerable children.
Agencies work together to ensure vulnerable children are
identified and properly cared for and protected
Why MASH?
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The Children Act 2004 states that partners agencies must make
arrangements to promote co-operation between relevant partner
agencies to improve the well-being of children in their area
The inability of statutory safeguarding agencies to join up the
information picture has been subject to persistent criticism and
recommendation
MASH is a direct response to a number of serious case reviews
including the Laming report which directly attributed the lack of good
information sharing and communication to the subsequent death of a
child
The Munro review highlights the value of co-located multi-agency
teams dealing with referrals and decision making. MASH is singled
out as good practice, with early evaluation showing improved
decision making and outcomes for children
Safeguarding best practice
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London wide police research proved that:
 Early identification of children's needs provides the
best outcomes for children
 Early identification of risk has the best impact as its
allows agencies to respond quickly with the most
effective interventions
Essential criteria for a MASH
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There are five core elements that must be included in a
MASH
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All notifications relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare
of children must go through the hub
Co-location of professionals from core agencies
The hub is fire walled, keeping MASH activity confidential and
separate from operational activity
An agreed process for analysing and assessing risk, based on the
fullest information picture and dissemination of a suitable
information product to the most appropriate agency for necessary
action
A process to identify victims and emerging harm through research
and analysis
Partners in MASH
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To be a MASH, it is a requirement that, as a minimum,
the following partners are co-located:
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Children’s social care
Police
Health
Education
Probation
Housing
Youth Offending Service
Redbridge MASH is represented by all the services listed
above
Redbridge MASH
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Redbridge MASH is located on the 3rd floor of Lynton
House in Children's services
Staff are co-located in a secure area with limited access
from the rest of Children’s services
The Head of the MASH has day to day management
responsibility for the MASH. However, line management
arrangements have not changed for partner agencies
Each agency will continue to access their own systems in
the MASH. There is no requirement to access or learn
new systems
Redbridge MASH structure chart
Screening &
MASH
Team
Manager
Senior
Practitione
r
Referral
&Initial
screening
Officer
x5
Hospital
senior
social
worker
Social
worker X3
Detective
sergeant
Police
Constable
x2
Police
Researcher
x2
Advanced
YOS
Worker
(1/2 day
per week)
Probation
officer
(1day)
Health
Practitioner
Senior
Education
welfare
Office
Housing
Options
Officer
MASH process
MERLIN
Multi-agency
referral
Self referral
Anonymous
referral
Check protocol
ICS
Other local
authority
referral
Open social care case:
details sent to case worker
Check eCAF
New case
created on
protocol
MASH
4
hour
target
MASH
1 day
MASH
1 day
RAG rate &
pass to social
worker
Initial screening
on whether to
MASH
Review and
summary of
collated
information
Decision
making
EI&FS
CAF
CPAT
Advice
and info
Single
agency
response
NFA
Redbridge MASH process
 Step 1: Referral received into MASH screening
 Step 2a/b: check Protocol to see whether the
child/ family known to Redbridge children’s
services.
 Step 3: if no open case , create new case record
and record any relevant information held on
protocol ICS/eCaf.
 Step 4a: Head of MASH decides whether to
‘MASH’
 Step 4b: Head of MASH RAG rates case
Redbridge MASH process (contd.)
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Step 5: MASH case assigned to a social worker with agreed target
timescale.
 High Risk – RED: completed within 4 hours
 Medium risk – AMBER: completed within 24 hours
 Low risk – GREEN: completed within 24 hours
The social worker handling the case then asks colleagues in the multiagency teams in the MASH to check the child/family details against their
databases and to collate any information they may have about the child
referred.
The information is collated within the timescales set through the RAG
rating and returned to the social worker.
Social worker reviews and analyses information received from partner
agencies within the MASH and summarises that information on a MASH
record on protocol ICS.
Based on this information reviewed, the social worker recommends what
further action should be taken.
Redbridge MASH process (contd.)
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Step 6: The Head of the MASH or MASH Practice
Manager reviews the MASH record and decides the most
appropriate action to take in relation to that contact.
Pathways include:
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CPAT
EI&FS
CAF
Information & Advice
Single Agency response
The Referral & Initial Screening Officer contacts the
referrer to advise them as to what has happened with the
referral.
Redbridge MASH criteria
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All NSPCC/ anonymous referrals
All children whose identity is unknown
Children/ YP who may have been trafficked
Children/ YP at risk of sexual or other exploitation
Transient families
All referrals where DV is an issue (where there are children in the
family under 5 years old or unborn) and additional information is
needed to determine the threshold
All referrals where there has been a previous MARAC discussion
Referrals about a child found begging whereby additional
information is needed to determine the threshold
Minor concerns about a child on a repeat basis
Children involved in gangs
All other referrals deemed appropriate by MASH manager
Expected outcomes of MASH
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Streamlines the referral process
Improves communications between professionals
Child’s needs responded to quickly and effectively
Earlier identification of vulnerable children
Most appropriate professional delivers interventions to meet the
needs identified
Reduction in number of professionals involved and avoids
unnecessary duplication and visits