Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST)
The Multi-Agency Support Team (MAST) is a merger of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and the Early Help Hub (EHH). MAST brings together multiple agencies to share information and identify risks to children at the earliest stage possible. This enables more effective interventions.
If you feel that you need help caring for your child, or if you are concerned about the welfare or safety of a child. please complete a MAST request for support form. The way that you do this is the same for disabled and non-disabled children. All referrals for support and protection are first dealt with by the Multi-Agency Support Team.
For non-urgent situations, you can discuss your concerns directly with the MAST team. We are here to support you and ensure the well-being of all children in our community.
Contact information
- Phone: 020 7364 5006, Option 2 or 3
- Extension: 5606 / 5601 / 5358 / 7796 / 3342 / 7828 / 6469 / 3181
- Email: MAST@towerhamlets.gov.uk
If you are a professional, please complete the MAST request for support form.
Telephone line hours
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (excluding bank holidays). For urgent concerns outside of office hours, call our Emergency Duty Team at 020 7364 4079 (after 5pm and at weekends)
If you believe a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, call the police on 999 for an immediate response. You can also contact your local police on 101 at any time.
Tower Hamlets Multi-Agency Support Team consists of professionals from:
- Children’s Service
- Health
- Education
- Police
- Probation
- Housing
- Early Help Service
- Youth Offending
- CAMHs
- Barnardo’s Charity Organisation
- Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
- Answer:
Child abuse falls into several different categories. These can include the following:
- Physical abuse – deliberating hurting a child e.g. hitting, punching or physical chastisement, causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts.
- Emotional abuse – ongoing emotional maltreatment of a child including rejection, constantly threatening, or criticising a child so that they feel unloved and worthless. This can also include exposure to domestic abuse in the home.
- Sexual abuse – forcing or persuading a child to take part in sexual activities, including inappropriate touching, kissing or sexual intercourse. This can also involve causing a child to look at or be involved in pornographic material
- Exploitation – using a child for gain, either sexual or criminal
- Neglect – failure to care for a child’s basic daily needs including food, clothing, medical care, shelter, keeping them safe, education and nurturing
More information on the different types of abuse can be found on the NSPCC website.
- Answer:
Although not an exhaustive list, some signs to look for in contact with individuals at risk of harm of abuse include:
- unusual injuries, including bruises, burns, fractures, bite marks or signs of self-harm
- consistently poor hygiene, poor living conditions or inappropriate clothing
- communicating aggressively or using sexual language
- appearing withdrawn, guarded, anxious or frightened, particularly around certain individual
- hearing or seeing shouting, violence, or intimidation
- adults keeping children from view
- unsupervised children visiting a house where only adults live.
- Answer:
Type of enquiries that can wait include:
- When a professional or practitioner would like to contact Tower Hamlets MASH Child Protection Advice Line (CPAL) to have a conversation about a concern they have for a child that might lead to a referral – but the child or young person is not at immediate risk of harm
- When a professional or practitioner would like advice
- For cases that are NOT open to Tower Hamlets, any issues around contact arrangements between children and their parents
- For cases that are NOT open cases where one parent has been taken to hospital, but the other parent or family members are caring appropriately for the child
- *Note: If a/your child has an allocated social worker, please call the allocated social work directly or ask to speak to the team’s Business Support Officer.
Visit Tower Hamlets function/explanation and the privacy notice page to read the children service social care notice.
MAST Four Levels of Need approach
MAST uses a Four Levels of Need approach under guidance to determine the most effective way to assist families. For detailed information regarding the framework please visit Pan London Level of Need.
Before deciding if an assessment is necessary, MAST will consider whether universal services (e.g., schools, nurseries, GPs) can provide the required support. An Early Help Assessment may also be conducted to ensure coordinated support from all parties like teachers and health visitors.
The aim of MAST is to improve communication and information sharing across the authority. This includes both internal and external partners ensuring more effective service delivery.
MAST is dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of children and young people by offering comprehensive support and intervention through a collaborative, multi-agency approach.
For assistance or to discuss concerns about a child's welfare or safety, please contact us. For non-urgent situations, our team is available to provide guidance and support.
For further information on the Early Help Offer please visit the Early Help section.
Visit Tower Hamlets function/explanation and the privacy notice page to read the children service social care notice.