If you have concerns about child abuse or concerns for a child, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
About Bracknell Forest MASH
MASH is a single point of contact for safeguarding concerns about children and young people living in Bracknell.
They are a team of professionals working together from a range agencies. Their purpose is to direct safeguarding concerns to the right channels, making sure that children get the right support quickly.
Partner agencies include:
- Children's Social Care (including children with disabilities)
- Police
- Health
- Education
- Youth Justice Team
- Probation
- Early Intervention
- Housing
- Berkshire Women's Aid
- DAAT (Drug and Alcohol Action Team)
Advice for parents, carers and members of the public
Contact MASH
Contact MASH directly by:
- phone: mash@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
- email: 01344 352005
When you contact MASH you will be asked to provide your contact details. This is so a social worker can contact you to get more information about the child or situation.
If you are contacting us about someone else's child and you want your details to be kept anonymous from them and their family, let the MASH team know.
Support for your family or a child you are worried about
Detailed information about the help and support available for families in Bracknell can be found on:
Advice for professionals
Before making a referral to MASH
Consider if the child or young person’s needs can be met by:
- services from your own agency
- other professionals already working with the family
- making a referral, with the family’s consent, directly to appropriate partners
When making a referral, always get consent from parents or carers, except where doing so may put the child or young person at risk of harm.
If you are not sure if you should make a referral to MASH:
- refer to the Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board threshold guidance
- speak to your Designated Safeguarding Lead
If you are still unsure, contact a MASH social worker.
Make a referral
If you think urgent action is needed, in cases where there is a child protection concern, contact MASH by phone.
For concerns that are not urgent, and where immediate action is not needed, all professionals must:
- follow the multi-agency threshold guidance
- make either an early help referral or a safeguarding referral