Anyone worried about a child can make a referral to the team at the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).

The MASH team brings together staff and information from the following agencies within Northamptonshire

• Children’s Social Care
• Police
• Health
• Education
• Early Help Team
• Domestic Abuse Advisor
• Crime Reduction Initiative
• Youth Offending Service/Team
• East Midlands Ambulance Service
• Fire and Rescue Service

The MASH team are able to identify risks to, and needs of, children at the earliest possible point and respond with the most effective, joined-up, actions.

The aim of the MASH is to make the right decisions for the right families at the right time.

Children/young people may come to the attention of the MASH because:

• A parent/guardian may have requested support directly
• A professional may feel that a family need help or support
• A child or their family come into contact with the police
• A child tells someone about abuse, either physical, sexual or emotional

When a child is referred, the case is assigned to a professional group within the MASH who will gather any information about the child/family as quickly as possible – including from their educational setting.

Useful links:

• MASH
• Chat Health (School Nurse 0-19 Service)
• NSPCC
• NSPCC Dedicated Helplines - All
• Childline
• Ask Normen
• Samaritans
• The Lowdown
• CAMHS Live
• Anti-Bullying Alliance
• Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
• CEOP (Child Exploitation & Online Protection Command)
• Safer Internet UK