Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASHs)

In order to effectively and safely manage the referral and assessment demand for safeguarding the local population many areas have established "Front Door" arrangements such as Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASHs). MASHs are intended to facilitate information-sharing and decision-making on a multi-agency basis often, though not always, through co-locating staff from the local authority, health agencies and the police.

Health has a clear statutory duty to ensure provision of effective and sustainable safeguarding services for babies, children and young people. This includes health participation in front door services such as MASH. There is an encouraging picture emerging as a response to National Reviews and Joint Targeted Area Inspections of Integrated Care Board (ICB) oversight and support regarding commissioning e.g.

• oversight and involvement in designing services and decision making with other Safeguarding children partners
• proactive rather than reactive – taking ownership of health input
• clear about the health offer
• involvement in all aspects of the MASH process e.g. from initial triage to attendance at strategy meetings
• thoughtful inclusion of appropriate health colleagues/information in the strategy meeting
• improved access to and sharing of information