A decision to separate, what was previously a combined Integrated Front Door across both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was made in June 2023. This led to Peterborough creating their own MASH to manage the referrals received about children and families. This has been operational since July 2023.
The contract with the Cambridgeshire Customer Service Centre ends on 16th January 2024 and this means that Peterborough will have an alternative process to manage the referrals received about children and families. (There will be no change to how you will make referrals for Cambridgeshire children).
Peterborough will therefore use the Portal which is an online referral system. The referral form generated will reflect the current referral form so this should look familiar and when submitted, it will land directly in Peterborough MASH and be dealt with by MASH staff.
Therefore, from 17th January 2024 professionals who need to make a safeguarding referral will continue to use the Safeguarding Board website but when you click on the link for Peterborough it will take you through to the Portal. You will need to register the first time you make a referral to create an account which will be person specific. There will be an immediate automatic approval and therefore there will be no time delay in completing the referral process.
Please familiarise yourself with the new referral process by accessing the training and guidance on using the Portal which is available on the Safeguarding Board website https://app.melearning.co.uk/auth/login
Should you have any problems in sending through referrals please in the first instance contact MASH using the following number: MASH General Enquiries 01733 864170
At this time police, ambulance and fire service will be the only referring professionals to send referrals via email as work is completed to facilitate their move to the Portal. The email that they will use is as follows: PCCMASHReferrals@peterborough.gov.uk
Peterborough will also be introducing a new Professional Consultation Line which can be used in those circumstances when advice about a possible referral is required. It is not expected that this will be used instead of the Portal and professionals will be directed back to the Portal to submit referrals as appropriate.
The Professional Consultation Line number is as follows: Professional Consultation Line 01733 864180
There are no changes to the Emergency Duty Service and they will continue to operate across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire. The contact number is as follows: Telephone: 01733 234724
The Threshold Document Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Help and Support Pathways for Children and Families is currently being finalised by the Safeguarding Board and will be circulated in January. This will inform all partner agencies about thresholds for intervention and will be used within MASH to support partnership decision making.
