What is the MASH?

The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the single point of contact for all safeguarding and early intervention concerns/requests for support regarding children and young people and the single point of contact for triaging and assessing all safeguarding concerns regarding adults in Wolverhampton. It brings together expert safeguarding professionals from services that have contact with children, young people, adults and families, making the best possible use of their combined knowledge and information to keep people safe from harm.

Adult Safeguarding duties apply to:

• A person who is 18 or over and has care and support needs (regardless of whether or not the Local Authority is meeting any of those needs) 

AND

• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

AND

• As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect him or herself against the abuse / neglect or the risk of it

The Care Act 2014, section 42 (2) requires a local authority to make statutory enquiries, or cause others to do so, where it has a reasonable cause to suspect that the above criteria have been satisfied.

When to Complete an Adult Safeguarding Referral Form?

An Electronic Multi-Agency Referral Form (EMARF) should be completed to report any concern or incident where you identify that a person with care and support needs meets the safeguarding duty criteria (as set out above). You should complete and submit the EMARF on the same day that you become aware of the concern. Your organisation’s own internal safeguarding procedure may require that you consult with a manager or senior on duty prior to raising a referral. However, this should not delay submission of the referral or any immediate action that may be required to safeguard the adult. The EMARF should not be used to report emergency safeguarding concerns that require an immediate response. If there is concern for someone’s immediate safety, call emergency services.

Whilst adult safeguarding procedures apply to adults who are currently experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect there may be some situations where an adult has experienced abuse or neglect but is no longer at risk. A safeguarding referral is not required in these situations, but consideration must still be given as to whether the abuse or neglect needs to be addressed in other ways such as a complaint or if a crime has occurred by reporting the concern to the police. Consideration should also be given to whether other adults with care and support needs are at risk of abuse and neglect as further action may still need to be taken.

The following circumstances could result in a safeguarding referral being completed:

• An abusive act is witnessed
• Disclosure of abuse is made by the adult
• Disclosure of abuse from a third party
• Suspicion or concern that something is not right
• Evidence of possible abuse or neglect
• There are wider concerns about a service which suggests other adults with care and support needs are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect

Making Safeguarding Personal and Consent

Safeguarding adults should be person-led, outcome focused and wherever possible involve the person to take control of and improve their quality of life, well-being, and safety. Therefore, it is essential that a conversation is held with the adult about the concern/incident and any potential safeguarding referral. Wherever possible, consent to raise the safeguarding referral and to share information must be sought and the wishes and views of the adult gathered. If a capacitated adult declines safeguarding intervention, this should be respected unless there is an aspect of overriding public interest and clearly recorded. Consideration must also be given to risk to others and any position of trust issues which still may need to be progressed. If in doubt, speak to the Adult MASH for further guidance and advice. When an adult lacks mental capacity to give consent, consideration should be given to whether raising the safeguarding referral is in the adult’s best interests.

If you are concerned for an adult or child out of hours, telephone the Emergency Duty Team on 01902 552999 or in an emergency call 999.