Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Intake and Early Assessment
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is made up of a number of professionals, such as Children’s Services, Adult Services, Police, Health, Probation and Education.
The role within the Children’s Services department within the MASH, is to consider all safeguarding referrals received from a number of different sources. The team will then gather information from agencies like schools, health visitors, GPs, Police and previous records from Children’s Services and the Senior Social Worker will consider whether a child is experiencing harm or is at risk of harm. In most cases, children and young people will not be experiencing harm and therefore do not need a Social Worker from Children’s Services but there may be a need for a less intense level of service like Youth Support or Parenting so the families will be referred on to the Early Help Hub.
If the Senior Social Worker thinks the information indicates the child is experiencing harm or they are at risk of experiencing harm, a strategy meeting discussion will take place with the wider agencies. This discussion will consider whether any immediate actions need to be taken to ensure a child is safe and consider what steps to take next.
If it is deemed necessary that an assessment from Children’s Services is required, this will be carried out by a Social Worker or Support Worker within the Intake and Early Assessment team.
Intake and Early Assessment Team
The Intake and Early Assessment Team provide assessment and signposting to ensure families receive the right level of support. As part of the assessment, we will meet with children/young people and their families to explore their personal circumstances. This will include visiting them within their homes, schools and within the community. To inform the assessment, we will also speak to professionals that are involved with the family.
Where needs are identified requiring the involvement of statutory services, an outcome focused care and support plan is developed in coproduction with children/young people and their family. At this stage the children/young people will then transfer to a longer-term team within Children’s Services for the implementation of the plan, and for the identified outcomes to be achieved. If the assessment does not identify a continuing role for Children’s Services, we will explore wider support services and offer a referral to the Early Help Hub where preventative support will be offered where required.