Child Protection

Cwm Taf Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

The Cwm Taf Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the single point of contact for all professionals to report safeguarding concerns, across Cwm Taf. The Cwm Taf MASH comprises of staff from the Social Services, Education, Police, Health, National Probation Service and the Community Rehabilitation Company.

The Cwm Taf Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for new safeguarding concerns and has significantly improved the sharing of information between agencies, helping to protect the most vulnerable children and adults from harm, neglect and abuse.

For professionals who wish to report a concern, telephone 01443 743730

For more information please click here.

Report a Concern

To report concerns about a child in RCT call:
01443 425 006

To report concerns about an adult at risk in RCT call:
01443 425 003

To report concerns in Merthyr Tydfil call:
01685 725 000

To report concerns about adults at risk in Bridgend call:
01656 642477

To report concerns about children at risk in Bridgend call:
01656 642320

Emergency Out of hours contact number:
01443 743 665

How to report a concern to MASH:

Professionals who wish to contact or make a referral to Cwm Taf MASH should call: 01443 743730

Professionals who wish to contact or make a referral to Bridgend should call:

Safeguarding Adults Team

Email: adultsafeguardingMASH@bridgend.gov.uk

Phone: 01656 642477

Information, Advice and Assistance (IAA) Team (Children)

Phone: 01656 642320

Email: mashcentra@bridgend.gov.uk

Early Help

Phone: 01565 815523
01656 642740
01656 815431

Email: earlyhelp@bridgend.gov.uk

The referral forms are appendices at the end of the Bridgend Corporate Safeguarding Policy.

Police intelligence form

police intelligence form.doc

CLA Friendly Schools

On 6th July 2021, Alaw Primary was awarded CLA Friendly Schools PLATINUM award by the CLA Education Team.

CLA Friendly Schools Pledge

Child Protection and CLA Policy

Achievement for All About this resource This resource provides the information and advice needed by schools (and all settings within the educational system) that will help them to become more CLA Friendly. Schools where pupils will have their needs met effectively by staff who have knowledge and understanding of the barriers and challenges they face and where the systems are structured to actively promote the best possible outcomes for this most vulnerable group. This resource is based on Children Looked After Friendly Schools, which was commissioned jointly by Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf local authorities utilising PDG LAC funding. The content was developed by Andrea Higgins, Academic Director and Programme Coordinator in Cardiff University’s School of Psychology, working closely with Hannah Bevan and Jess Jones, LAC Education Coordinators from Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil.

CLA FRIENDLY SCHOOLS PROJECT

A joint project commissioned using PDG LAC funding and developed between Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC and Merthyr Tydfil CBC.

It started in 2016/17 with the aim to promote good practice within schools and educational settings and achieve the Central South Consortium vision for CLA learners.

This project was composed of three elements

1. Handbook

2. Training programme

3. Quality Mark

The bilingual handbook was produced to assist all professionals supporting the education of children and young people who are Looked After.

All schools in RCT and Merthyr received a copy in September 2017 and this resource is available to download.

English Version

http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/7516f3_1c19c56aa1f749d4a6fa40ac73756238.pdf

Training Programme

Level 1: Basic awareness and recognition of the factors that might lead to moving into care, an introduction to Attachment Theory and how all staff can effectively manage vulnerable pupils as they come into contact with them at school.

Level 2: More detailed training for individuals who have direct responsibility for CLA in schools. An opportunity to explore universal and targeted support for CLA and understand key messages for positive approaches to support CLA learners.

Level 3: In depth training for senior leaders with CLA responsibilities, designated persons for CLA and support staff working closely with CLA on a daily basis.

CLA Friendly School Quality Mark

A development team including the former Principal Educational Psychologist for both local authorities and now working at Cardiff University; Deputy Principal Educational Psychologist for RCT; CLA Advisory Teacher with CLA Education Team in RCT; the CLA Education Coordinators from both local authorities and Designated Persons from local schools devised an audit tool to recognise high standards of CLA practice.

Using research relating to NICE guidance, the development of Attachment Aware Schools in England, Welsh Government guidance and the building blocks identified in Chapter 3 of the CLA Friendly Schools handbook, a set of quality indicators (essential & desirable) were drawn up based on the 3 themes for making a school CLA Friendly.

1. Whole school systems & practice

2. Preventative approaches & building resilience

3. Responsive strategies to support pupils presenting with more challenges

A framework for excellence was developed so that schools could evidence their practice throughout an academic year.

Schools are able to achieve awards at two levels

Gold is composed of 44 indicators (36 essential and 8 desirable) and schools are expected to evidence practice against these, attend L1 & Level 2 training and achieve a score of 80% (including all essential indicators) or more.

Platinum highlights examples of sector leading and innovative practice in each 3 themes as well as the achievement of all Gold indicators (essential & desirable) and attendance at Level 3 training.

The criteria framework was piloted with 6 schools in RCT and 2 schools in Merthyr during the Summer Term 2018.

CLA Friendly School Quality Mark and criteria framework document was launched in October 2018 and following this event, 24 RCT and 6 MT schools registered their interest in becoming CLA Friendly Pioneer Schools.

Practice that enhances strategic planning and processes is an important aspect of the PDG LAC grant.

All schools within the Central South Consortium region are now required to link their planning to pertinent indicators from the Quality Mark audit tool.

The use of these Quality Mark indicators ensures that school leaders use the grant strategically to make the changes needed to improve the lives of CLA.

Central South Consortium Vision and Objectives

We believe that every Looked After and formerly Looked After pupil has the right to provision and support to enable them to fulfil their potential.

We should have high expectations for all pupils which then leads to achievement for learners in the academic and personal and social aspects of their lives irrespective of their circumstances.

Best practice is achieved when experience and expertise is shared and collaboration encouraged

For more information contact:

Rhian Smallwood,

CLA Advisory Teacher with CLA Education Team

rhian.smallwood@rctcbc.gov.uk

Eye to Eye Young People’s Counselling Service/ Gwasanaeth Cwnsela ar Gyfer Pobl Ifanc-Eye to Eye

https://www.eyetoeye.wales/

https://www.facebook.com/eyetoeye.wales/

https://www.instagram.com/eyetoeyewales/

https://twitter.com/EyeCounselling?lang=en-gb

Beddau CEC

Bryn Celynnog School/Safle Ysgol Bryn Celynnog