Concerned?

Referrals for adults
Adults Practitioners should complete the online form available on the MCC website

Referrals for children & families
In March 2019, Children’s Services launched a quicker and more effective system to replace written requests for children’s social work intervention when practitioners have identified a child in need of help, support or protection.

Instead of making a written request, practitioners need to ring 0161 234 5001 and they will get through to specialist social care and early help staff.

Children’s Practitioners will be able to discuss their request promptly, efficiently and securely – and will be able to access social work advice and guidance about the next steps and the right option for the child and their family.

From 8th July 2019, the service is moving from a centralised MASH team, to three locality based hubs. The Manchester Advice and Guidance Hub will be delivered from North, Central and South localities; and will comprise co-located multi-agency staff including social care, early help, education, health and police. This approach will enable an integrated response to ensure that children and their families receive the right level of support and appropriate interventions at the right time, and that our partners are provided with quality advice, support and consultation at the first point of contact.

Practitioners calling the service can help to make the most of the conversation by having the following details ready:

• the child’s presenting needs
• what they or their service have already done or where they have accessed support
• ensuring that they have consent from the family to talk to Children’s Services.

Also, before calling practitioners should consider the MSCB levels of need framework; and if contact with an Early Help Hub is appropriate.

Other  points to note:

• this telephone referral service is for practitioners only
• the changes do not affect the public – it will be business as usual
• these changes are only for children’s referrals.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Manchester City Council and its partners also have a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) that screens all contacts concerning the welfare or safety of a child or adult.

• Manchester MASH operate a consultation line for partner agencies – the number is 0161 219 2895 and is available between 8.45am and 4.30pm on weekdays
• all concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, young person or adult must go through the Manchester Contact Centre on 0161 234 5001
• the Adult’s MASH, Children’s MASH and the Contact Centre are based in Bridgewater House on Whitworth Street, Manchester.

Early Help Practitioner Zone
Guidance and resources for practitioners, including the Early Help Assessment Form and Levels of Need Framework; and how to contact the Early Help Hubs can be found in the Early Help Practitioner Zone on the MCC website at Help & Support Manchester

Practitioners can find the full list of referral forms in our resource hub – this includes a link to allegations management, SAR referrals and SCR referrals.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE BUSINESS UNIT OR EMAIL ANY FORM OF REFERRAL TO THE MSB INBOX – this may result in a delay in your referral reaching the correct team.

Remember – Safeguarding is Everyone’s Business!
For more information visit the Manchester City Council website at www.manchester.gov.uk

Help & Support Manchester
Details of services, opportunities, advice and guidance to help you and your family improve your lives can be found on the MCC website Help & Support Manchester at hsm.manchester.gov.uk

Crimestoppers is an independent charity that works with police forces throughout the UK that people can use to pass on information about a crime anonymously.

• call 0800 555 111 (24 hours a day and 7 days a week)
• anonymous online reporting form
• you don’t have to give them your name or any personal information; calls are not recorded and cannot be traced.

Call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 (free 24 hour service) or email them at help@nspcc.org.uk or visit their website www.nspcc.org.uk if you have concerns or are worried about a child or young person.

Responding to abuse – the NSPCC has updated its information on recognising and responding to child abuse; their website includes updated information on: responding to disclosures; information sharing; and consent – visit learning.nspcc.org.uk for more information.

Call Childline on 0800 1111 (free 24 hour service) or visit their website at www.childline.org.uk if you are under 19 and are experiencing feelings of stress, anxiety; or if you are lonely or down and need someone to talk to.

Call the Action on Elder Abuse helpline on 0800 8808 8141 or visit their website at elderabuse.org.uk for information, advice and support for victims and others who are concerned about or have witnessed abuse, neglect or financial exploitation.

Visit the Care Quality Commission website at www.cqc.org.uk for information about adult services.

If you are worried that a child, young person or adult is being affected by:

• domestic violence and abuse – this can be verbal, financial, emotional, coercion or control
• an abusive or exploitative relationship
• behavioural, emotional well-being or mental health issues
• alcohol or substance misuse
• bereavement or separation
• a forced marriage
• so called honour based violence
• radicalisation or extremism
• female genital mutilation (FGM)
• abuse or neglect in care such as a care or nursing home or through care at home
• abuse or neglect in a health setting such as a hospital or medical practice
• hate crime due to ethnicity, skin colour, religion, sexual orientation.

Manchester City Council can signpost you onto services that could support you, your family or someone you care about through the challenges you face – visit their website at www.manchester.gov.uk for more information.

This NSPCC advice line is for anyone concerned about how child protection issues are being handled in their own or another organisation – call on 0800 028 0285 or email to help@nspcc.org.uk or visit their website at www.nspcc.org.uk/whistleblowing-advice-line