MASH – Privacy notice
Data Sharing in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 places a duty on key people and bodies to cooperate to improve the wellbeing of children and young people. This includes the proportionate sharing of information, where appropriate, to make the best decisions for children and young people at risk.
If a MASH enquiry is received for a child, professionals working within the MASH will share information they hold which may be relevant to the enquiry. Only the minimum information will be held in the MASH team and will only be shared when absolutely necessary. This is to make sure that an appropriate, timely and informed decision is made by the MASH Team manager about any services the child may require.
Relevant partners have signed up to the MASH Working Practice Agreement which specifies what happens to the data once it is received within the MASH. The Working Practice Agreement will be available to view soon.
Privacy notice
Sharing information about individuals with partner organisations is sometimes necessary in order to protect individuals if there are concerns they may be at risk of significant harm and to keep those individuals and the wider public safe.
Information will be processed within the MASH under strict protocols in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and other relevant legislation. Information will be held securely by Devon County Council and will only be used and shared on a strict need to know basis with limited partners, for the purposes of keeping children or young people safe or ensuring they get the best services they need. Personal information may also be shared if there is a lawful reason to do so such as for crime prevention or detection purposes or where it is in the interest of maintaining public safety. The parent / carer will normally be informed at the time the enquiry is made unless this could place the child or someone else at further risk or underminea police investigation.
Personal information held in the MASH will be deleted when it is no longer needed for these purposes, in accordance with formal record retention policies.
Individuals have a right under the Data Protection Act 1998 to request a copy of the information held about them providing they put their request in writing, enclose proof of their identity and explain what information they are requesting. Please write to Devon County Council, Information Governance Team, County Hall, Room 120, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4QD.