New hub will protect county’s vulnerable

Warwickshire’s first Multiagency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) has been launched to help protect children and vulnerable people in the county.

Though the MASH opened its doors to referrals in May, the official opening at Old Shire Hall in Warwick last week gave partner organisations from across the county chance to hear about its progress.

The idea of the MASH is to bring together a number of different organisations including the police and health services, to better protect vulnerable residents. The Mash was launched because issues and challenges surrounding safeguarding span beyond the remit of any single organisation.

The hub will focus on early engagement and providing support to potentially vulnerable children, adults and their families.

Since opening its doors in May, the Warwickshire MASH has been focusing solely on cases relating to children and young people and this will be followed by the protection of vulnerable adults in September 2016.

John Coleman, Manager of the MASH, said: “The Warwickshire MASH is already proving itself to be a vital resource in making sure our most vulnerable residents are safe and protected from harm. I would like to congratulate all partners for their dedication and hard work.”

Deputy Chief Constable Karen Manners from Warwickshire Police, said: “The Warwickshire MASH has moved safeguarding to a better level with agencies based in the same location, sharing information in real-time to enable more informed and faster decision making to protect the most vulnerable in Warwickshire.”

For more information about the Warwickshire MASH visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mash