Report by Pippa Brent-Isherwood
Minutes:
The initial draft of the integrated MASH pilot had been received. Further work was to be done on the information. Evaluators had problems getting stakeholders to feedback from the MASH including the virtual partners.
Due to these issues, the time scales had been extended. The steering group had not completed their review of the information. There was a collective support of the concept. The general view of the facilitation, data gathering, identifying and acting on issues were all smoother and quicker.
There was a more person centred ethos, where teams were working well. There was a weaker relationship with the virtual partners than with the co-located partners. Before the MASH, mental health colleagues often failed to attend meetings, but it was established and they routinely attended meetings. There was a better understanding of each other and the community, and reports were that it was a “better than the past six years”.
MARAC had improved the information on gang activity and affiliations.
The organisations were improving their ‘common language’ (for example a ‘safeguarding concern’ for the Police was a much lower level than for the social care team, but this was improving.
The staffing within Virtual partners could be a problem when their were replaced and not communicated, or when the positions were not filled.
There were continuing issues with the IT issues, as the systems didn’t talk to one another. Staff had to extract information from the datasets and physically share them. A small number of companies had been in contact with the purpose of developing an integrated system for the borough, which could potentially be rolled out nationwide.
The advice line was instrumental in reducing inappropriate referrals.
The number of initial contacts that had transferred to the Safeguarding Adults team had risen 16%, primarily through the increase in contacts from carers, residential workers and domiciliary workers.
Since safeguarding advertising was introduced, the number of safeguarded children had increased by 8%. Adults information was impacting on the rate of children.
There was a lower proportion of NFA’s (No Further Action) at 5%. There was a much higher proportion of children’s queries going to the correct place, with 40% of referrals going to early help. 94% of all enquiries went on to a full assessment.
Repeat contacts were decreasing within Children’s, but were increasing within adults. Predominantly this was via the police, as multiple instances were being referred through the MASH (due to a directive being followed where all instances are to be referred) causing duplicates of the same family. Police officers were doing their best to filter out cases that should not be referred to the MASH.
A full report would be provided once ready.
A list of who had been asked to participate was agreed to be circulated.
Access to A&E data was in progress to be picked up.
Measures to avoid items that shouldn’t be referred to the MASH were discussed. This had to be reconsidered.
Extra money was received from MOPAC for Domestic Violence. This was useful as it meant three additional Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVA’s) were able to be appointed.