Child protection
Worried about a child’s safety?
If you are concerned about a child or young person in Devon and want to speak to someone contact our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0345 155 1071 or email mashsecure@devon.gov.uk and give as much information as you can.
If a child is at immediate risk contact the police on 999.
Devon Children and Families Partnership (DCFP)
If you want to find out more about recognising the warning signs of child abuse, finding support and keeping children safe and healthy, the Devon Children and Families Partnership (DCFP) provides clear and useful information, as well as signposting to other resources.
The following organisations can also offer advice and information if you are concerned about a child:
- NSPCC
- Childline
- REACH – Devon-based service supporting young people who either run away or who may be at risk of, or experiencing child sexual exploitation (CSE)
Children and young people
If you are worried about your own safety or that of a friend call 0345 155 1071.
The Devon Children and Families Partnership has lots of information about where to go for help if you are concerned for your own safety or someone else, at home, school or out and about.
Professionals
If you are a professional and want to make a MASH contact with Children’s Social Care you need to complete the multi-agency enquiry form unless your enquiry is to discuss an allegation made against an adult working with children, in which case you should contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service.
Find out what to do when making a MASH contact.
About the MASH
The MASH is the central resource for the whole of Devon receiving all safeguarding and child protection enquiries. It is staffed with professionals from a range of agencies including police, probation, fire, ambulance, health, education and social care. These professionals share information to ensure early identification of potential significant harm, and trigger interventions to prevent further harm.
MASH staff gather information from every agency and use this to decide the most appropriate intervention to respond to the child’s identified needs. Where appropriate, the MASH team is able to immediately trigger a response. The emphasis is on triggering interventions to the child or young person and their family to prevent harm.
Working together in this way ensures that the agencies are sharing information and are able to respond to a child’s needs quickly and efficiently. The MASH method has resulted in more effective and earlier identification of vulnerable children. It has reduced the number of different professionals being involved, while keeping the most appropriate professional to deliver interventions to meet the needs identified in any particular case. It has avoided unnecessary duplication and visits, and simplified processes. It has also improved communication between professionals.