Issue - items at meetings - Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Early Help for Brighton and Hove

Report of the Executive Director, Children’s Services (copy attached)

RESOLVED - That the Committee support the establishment of a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub as previously agreed by Brighton & Hove’s Local Safeguarding Children’s Board

75.1    The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services which had been prepared in order to update Members with regard to the programme development being undertaken to establish a Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) in Brighton and Hove. The proposed programme aspired ultimately to establishment of a full MASH dealing with adults and children through a staged process. The first stage would be to establish a children’s MASH over the next few months. The report set out the intended structure and process for setting up the MASH including proposed governance arrangements and sought the Committees comments in respect the arrangements envisaged and commitment to this programme.

75.2    It was explained that the proposal had been discussed by the Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and other partner agencies who had agreed that a MASH would improve outcomes for children and eventually adults and had signed up to the concept of establishing the hub.

75.3    Mr Bartlett, the Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board confirmed his endorsement the MASH approach suggested which he considered represented a great step forward in seeking to provide greater levels of support and protection for vulnerable children.

75.4    The Chair, Councillor Shanks stated that it was considered that there were benefits to using standardised risk assessments and that it was hoped that the proposed arrangements could be put into place at an early date.

75.5    Councillor Pissaridou commended the positive direction being taken, hoping that best practice models used as part of a MASH approach by a number of London Authority could be considered as appropriate. Mrs Sjuve, Sussex Community NHS Trust also commended the approach suggested stating that she hoped reports providing  an update on progress would be brought back before the Committee in due course.

75.6    RESOLVED - That the Committee support the establishment of a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub as previously agreed by Brighton & Hove’s Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.