Assessing the early impact of multi agency safeguarding hubs (MASH) in London, UK

Objectives The failure of agencies to work together effectively to safeguard children has been highlighted in numerous serious case reviews of child protection cases. The Munro Review of Child Protection (2011) recognized the... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives
The failure of agencies to work together effectively to safeguard children has been highlighted in numerous serious case reviews of child protection cases. The Munro Review of Child Protection (2011) recognized the key role of Local Safeguarding Children Boards in fostering multi agency working and the same year the London Safeguarding Children Board began to roll out Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASH). MASH are a co-located, multi-agency team including: police, health and social care who focus on the point child protection referrals are initially received. This research reviews MASH and its impact on safeguarding services to children in five London boroughs in order to assess its effectiveness.
Method
Mixed methods approach including: pre implementation MASH site visits, pre and post implementation snapshot audits of referrals to MASH, pre and post implementation qualitative interviews of MASH professionals and post implementation with referrers to MASH.
Results
One of the most significant findings was the reduction in turnaround time of referrals to safeguarding services at all levels of risk (RAG (Red, Amber, Green) Ratings). The mean turnaround for cases initially assessed as level 3 (high or complex needs) nearly halved from 2½ to slightly over 1¼ days and the turnaround time for referrals initially assessed as level 2 (low to vulnerable) halved from more than 4½ to less than 2½ days.
Conclusions
The MASH in the boroughs reviewed have made a lot of progress in a relatively short time and there were indications that a MASH culture is emerging. However, while there are promising indications that improved access to information from a range of different agencies has helped decision makers get a fuller picture of the child in his or her situation; there are still a number of challenges which must be met if MASH is to become fully effective.