Enhanced Child Welfare through Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

1. Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub 17/3/2018

2. Hello ! Introductions

3. What is a MASH … • Deciding what level of support/safeguarding response is required remains a vexing problem in child welfare, and decisions are often taken in challenging circumstances and with limited information’ (Munro,) • Mash’s were developed to provide a informed assessment of risk and promote the welfare of the child/ren • Mash co locates partners to enable informed assessments of children • Mash provides a Safeguarding lens on all children, identifies early help and responds to children whom are at risk of harm.

4. One front Door

5. Who is in MASH ? • MASH’s consist of the following professionals with a few variations across boroughs… • The MASH is supported by a partnership of co-located agencies including children services, police, health, education, substance misuse, domestic violence services, housing, early help. Other partners support the MASH through virtual support and access to information – Probation, LADO, Solace. • CSE police, Gangs Police.

6. Figures for Barnet ….. • In the last 12 months there has been a increase in contacts coming into the MASH • On average MASH receives 1,300 referrals to the service. (knocks at the front door) • The highest referrer to MASH is the Police this is a similar position across London • Followed by ;- • Health • Education

7. Nature of referrals; • Domestic Violence • Drug /Alcohol • Mental Health • Neglect • Sexual abuse/Physical abuse/Emotional abuse • CSE • Gangs

8. Right intervention First Time!! • Mash makes an informed initial decision on what support or intervention a child needs. • Provides a chronology of that child's life from our partners • We collate themes across the borough with our partners and target services to that area. • A third of all referrals go onto a referral for an Child & Family Assessment • Vitally

9. It is vital the referral to MASH is accurate Highlights the concerns and risk to the child, the date of any incident, what happened Identifies whom cares for the child , their details

10. Section 47 Investigations • If a child is deemed or there is reasonable cause to believe a child is at ‘risk of or suffering from significant harm’ a Section 47 investigation is initiated a strategy discussion with Police and relevant professionals is held to determine if threshold for a child protection investigation has been met and decide if this will be single agency or joint agency. • It is vital we continue to work in partnership to ensure the child’s voice is the focus, and the child’s lived experience is paramount. In a world of limited resources, financial constraints our partnerships are so important that we continue to support each other to ensure the best outcomes.