Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Southwark’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the gateway for all safeguarding referrals for children within Southwark.
The MASH Partners
The MASH brings together key agencies to work together to assess risk, share information and make proportionate decisions jointly about the best way to safeguard and meet the needs of vulnerable children and families.
We believe Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and our core partner agencies within Southwark MASH are:
- Children’s Social Care
- Police
- Community Health
- Southwark Housing
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
- Youth Justice Service
- Southwark Housing
- Family Early Help
- Substance Misuse Service
- Domestic Abuse Service
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- National Probation Service
Referrals and consent
Before making a MASH referral, practitioners should talk to parents/carers who hold parental responsibility about their concerns. A referral can be made without consent if telling parents/carers can increase the risk to the child. Referrals for Children’s Social care can be made by completing our MASH referral form
(docx, 375kb) and emailing it to mash@southwark.gov.uk.
All referrals for help and support through Family Early Help require parent/carer consent. The referral can be accessed here.
When we receive a referral
Once we receive a referral, the MASH Social Work Team will commence screening to determine the next actions. The family/referrer will be contacted by a member of staff to discuss the concerns and agree next steps.
The screening work undertaken through the MASH screening will determine the level of support or intervention required to ensure children and families receive the right help at the right time. Professionals making referrals to MASH will receive an outcome within 5 working days.
Contact details
If you're a member of the public or professional and think a child is in immediate danger you should call the police on 999.
If you are worried about a child and wish to seek advice and guidance before making a referral, you can contact the Southwark Duty Social Worker for a consultation on:
Tel: 0207 525 1921 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Tel: Out of hours, 0207 525 5000
Southwark Council Twitter
National support agencies
Southwark Children’s Services
London Borough of Southwark
Sumner House
Sumner Road
London SE15 5QS
Get directions
Page last updated: 18 October 2023
