Initial Referrals
Related guidance
- Transfer Policy
- Pathway to Provision
- Nottinghamshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
- Working Together to Safeguard Children
- DfE, Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
Amendment
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) receive referrals sourced from professionals and or; members of the public via telephone, e-mail, fax or written correspondence where it is believed that there are concerns in relation to the safety and wellbeing of a child, young person.
It is imperative that the referral information is clear and concise, detailing a factual account and there is a distinction between events reported and those actually witnessed which should include differences in opinion, judgement and hypothesis which is then recorded in a referral on Framework.
Referral details are collated by a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub Officer (MASHO) who will, if required seek advice from a social worker. It is the social worker’s responsibility to provide advice, guidance and professional judgement on most cases, however each case will have a management oversight.
The Manager will screen the referral within 24 hours and decide as to the urgency of the case and pass to the social worker. Social Worker will then make their recommendation regarding Level 4 Threshold being met as identified in the Pathway to Provision, which is in association with the “RAG Rating” (see RAG Rating Guide) as outlined in Pathway to Provision. See also Appendix 1: MASH Recording Process.
The social worker will complete an analysis of the referral information along with any background knowledge known previously about the family. The social worker will then make a decision regarding the outcome of the case.
Referrals are “RAG rated” (see RAG Rating Guide) based on the timeliness of the response required and the level of risk identified which is key to the rating of a referral which is made within 24 hours.
It is expected that professionals making a referral seek consent from the family except in exceptional circumstances whereby to do so would significantly increase the risk of harm to the child, young person or jeopardise a potential police investigation. The expectation is that professional referrers provide written confirmation of their concerns within 24 hours of making the referral.
Red
Threshold has clearly been met and an immediate response is necessary for example, whereby a child, young person has or is likely to suffer significant harm (Section 47 Enquiries); or alternatively cases whereby a response is required on the same day e.g. Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) and homeless young people.
In the event of a child having suffered or likely to have suffered Significant Harm, the case would be brought to the immediate attention of a MASH Team Manager by a Social Worker. The Team Manager will alert the Assessment Team Duty Manager and if a strategy discussion is required, then discuss the safety concerns with MASH Police colleagues. Assessment Team Duty Manager will then agree a plan of action with either the MASH Police/Police colleagues.
Safeguarding referrals ragged red will be sent for information sharing to partner agencies within the MASH e.g. (Police, Health, Education, Probation and Early Help) in order to progress the case however this does not hinder or prevent the actions undertaken by the Assessment Team in the interim.
AMBER
Threshold may have been met but further information is required in order to assist decision making as to determine whether the need has been met for Level 4 Social Care intervention. Therefore information sharing with partner agencies within the MASH is undertaken. Following receipt of the information, the social worker can reach an informed decision about the progression of the referral either to assessment, no further action or pass to another agency for intervention.
GREEN
These referrals would not go through information sharing. The threshold for an assessment has been met, however, there is no suggestion that the child/young person is at risk of significant harm which would require an immediate response.
All referral details are read along with the social worker’s analysis and recommendation based on the referral details, any previously known information and the information gained by information sharing by a MASH Team Manager who will then sign off the referral, place a management oversight in case notes before either transferring the referral into the relevant service area incoming box to undertake an assessment or would close the case.
In such circumstances whereby Level 4 Threshold has not been met but a child/young person has been identified as being in need of early help services the referrer will be signposted to the Early Help Unit and no further action will be taken by Social Care.
However, if via processing a referral the decision is that Level 4 Threshold is not met and the needs of the child, young person could be met via Early Help the first two pages of a MASH Enquiry would be completed and stepped down via Framework to the Early Help Unit who would complete an EHAF if consent from the family has been gained. [1]
Whereby advice and information only is provided a “Front Sheet” (first two pages of a MASH Enquiry) is completed by a MASHO and then passed to a social worker who will record their rationale for closing the case which is recorded in Framework.
[1] A MASH Enquiry is the current vehicle for recording within Mosaic, however for the purposes of professionals and members of the public they are making a referral to the Local Authority regarding concerns they have in relation to the safety and wellbeing of a child, young person.
All recording needs to be logged on Framework, written acknowledgement of all referrals for Children in Need as a result of, or at risk of, abuse or neglect is sent to the referrer/family within 5 working days from receipt of referral using MASH standard letters unless the referrer has specified they do not wish to receive an outcome letter or unless to do so would place a child, young person at risk of significant harm.
Last Updated: June 27, 2023
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