MASH Decision Maker

About the Role

Northamptonshire Children's Trust is seeking an experienced and skilled MASH Decision Maker to join our Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at the front door of Children's Services, playing a vital role in safeguarding children and improving outcomes for families. Working within a fast-paced multi-agency environment, you will be responsible for screening contacts and referrals, gathering and analysing information from partner agencies, and making timely, proportionate, and defensible decisions to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

As a MASH Decision Maker, you will contribute to driving high-quality services forward and work collaboratively with partners to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people, and families across Northamptonshire.

Location: Criminal Justice Centre, 700 Pavilion Drive, Northampton, NN4 7SL

Pay Rate: 36 per hour
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid working, 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home (subject to business needs)

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality casework decisions and operational oversight of referral information.
• Make informed safeguarding decisions regarding the welfare and safety of children within 24 hours of referral.
• Screen incoming contacts and referrals, assessing risk and identifying safeguarding concerns.
• Work closely with MASH partners to gather and analyse information from multiple agencies.
• Contribute to threshold decision-making and recommend appropriate service interventions.
• Ensure the child's voice is central to all assessment and decision-making processes.
• Provide professional advice and expertise to partner agencies, promoting high-quality safeguarding practice.
• Support a relationship-based and strengths-focused approach to practice.
• Balance strengths and concerns through clear risk analysis and effective safety planning.
• Demonstrate professional curiosity, critical thinking, and sound professional judgement.

Skills/Experience

• Significant experience within Children's Social Care, with a strong safeguarding and child protection background.
• Proven experience working within a MASH, Front Door, Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection service.
• Strong knowledge of referral screening, information gathering, risk assessment, and threshold decision-making.
• The ability to analyse complex information and make balanced, timely, and defensible decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working effectively within multi-agency settings and building positive professional relationships.
• A commitment to relationship-based and strengths-focused practice, ensuring children's lived experiences remain at the centre of decision-making.
• Confidence in applying professional judgement and providing constructive challenge where required.
• Sound knowledge of current legislation, statutory guidance, safeguarding procedures, and developments within Children's Social Care.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As this role is eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, applicants are required to declare any cautions and convictions that are not protected under current filtering rules

If you are an experienced Children's Social Worker with a strong background in safeguarding, MASH, Assessment, Duty, or Child Protection services, we would love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Northamptonshire Children's Trust and make a real difference at the front door of Children's Services, ensuring children and families receive the right support at the right time.