Management Information Sheet
Safeguarding Update
Safeguarding Referrals & MASH
Further to MI sheet 59/11 and MI Sheet 63/12, concerns have been raised about a number of cases where schools have delayed making a child protection referral. Delays in receiving a referral compromise the ability of Children's Services and Police staff to respond to concerns in a timely manner and protect the child or young person.
Concerns about recent practice specifically relate to:
referrals regarding physical injury being made at the end of the school day when the child has returned home;
referrals requiring urgent attention being made via e-mail rather than by telephone.
If a child discloses or you suspect physical or sexual abuse it is particularly important that a telephone referral is made without delay and before informing parents. The Senior Designated Professional should immediately inform Care Connect by telephone on 0344 800 8020.
Where a child or young person is already being worked with by Children's Services and there is an allocated social worker, the call can be made directly to the social worker. If for any reason they are not available and you are not able to get hold of a duty social worker within their team who can take the call then you can still use the 0344 800 8020 number and they will make sure the information is picked up and acted upon.
A telephone referral must then be confirmed in writing using the form marked NSCB1, within a maximum of 48 hours, ideally 24 hours. The completed NSCB1 can be faxed to the MASH Team on 01603 762445 or posted to:
The MASH Team Manager
Floor 5, Vantage House
Fishers Lane
Norwich
Norfolk, NR2 1ET
NSCB1 forms can also be e-mailed to MASH via mash@norfolk.gcsx.gov.uk but must only be sent from a secure email address.
Revised Model Safeguarding incorporating Child Protection Policy 2012
The Local Authority Model Policy has been revised to reflect changes in the Ofsted Inspection Framework, local arrangements for safeguarding referrals and changes to the statutory guidance regarding the management of allegations. It is strongly recommended that you use the model policy as a framework for revising your school’s policy. It should be adapted to make it relevant to your setting and any particular local safeguarding issues you may be dealing with. School-specific information should be added e.g. information about the curriculum and the school’s monitoring and evaluation procedures.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Waters, Safeguarding Adviser by email: Kelly.waters@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 307729.
Further to MI sheet 59/11 and MI Sheet 63/12, concerns have been raised about a number of cases where schools have delayed making a child protection referral. Delays in receiving a referral compromise the ability of Children's Services and Police staff to respond to concerns in a timely manner and protect the child or young person.
Concerns about recent practice specifically relate to:
referrals regarding physical injury being made at the end of the school day when the child has returned home;
referrals requiring urgent attention being made via e-mail rather than by telephone.
If a child discloses or you suspect physical or sexual abuse it is particularly important that a telephone referral is made without delay and before informing parents. The Senior Designated Professional should immediately inform Care Connect by telephone on 0344 800 8020.
Where a child or young person is already being worked with by Children's Services and there is an allocated social worker, the call can be made directly to the social worker. If for any reason they are not available and you are not able to get hold of a duty social worker within their team who can take the call then you can still use the 0344 800 8020 number and they will make sure the information is picked up and acted upon.
A telephone referral must then be confirmed in writing using the form marked NSCB1, within a maximum of 48 hours, ideally 24 hours. The completed NSCB1 can be faxed to the MASH Team on 01603 762445 or posted to:
The MASH Team Manager
Floor 5, Vantage House
Fishers Lane
Norwich
Norfolk, NR2 1ET
NSCB1 forms can also be e-mailed to MASH via mash@norfolk.gcsx.gov.uk but must only be sent from a secure email address.
Revised Model Safeguarding incorporating Child Protection Policy 2012
The Local Authority Model Policy has been revised to reflect changes in the Ofsted Inspection Framework, local arrangements for safeguarding referrals and changes to the statutory guidance regarding the management of allegations. It is strongly recommended that you use the model policy as a framework for revising your school’s policy. It should be adapted to make it relevant to your setting and any particular local safeguarding issues you may be dealing with. School-specific information should be added e.g. information about the curriculum and the school’s monitoring and evaluation procedures.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Waters, Safeguarding Adviser by email: Kelly.waters@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 307729.