Changes to our 'front door'

The new Bromley Help, Support & Safeguarding Hub for Children and Families was launched in March 2023. This replaces the front door previously known as Bromley MASH. We are calling the new front door the 'Children and Families Hub' for short. This now incorporates help and support for children and families in tier 2 as well as the safeguarding and child protection referrals at tiers 3 and 4.

Whilst we continue to develop the new Children and Families Hub and work on a new online portal for referrals, we ask that you continue to refer your concerns about children in the same way as before, using the existing referral forms. Send these to mash@bromley.gov.uk and call 020 8461 7373 / 7379 / 7026 as you always have.

We have made a decision to stop using CAF terminology and instead use 'Early Help Assessment'. The work to support families, holding Team Around the Child/Family meetings, making plans all remains the same. However, the CAF Team will no longer chair any of these meetings.

Should you wish to make a referral to the Bromley Children Project for 1:1 family support or light touch intervention please telephone the Bromley Help, Support & Safeguarding Hub for Children and Families on 020 8461 7373/ 7379/ 7026 or email mash@bromley.gov.uk

There is no change to how you can access the wider offer from the early intervention and family support service (EIFS) provided by the local authority which includes:-

• The wide range of parenting courses, seminars, webinars

• The wide range of activities at the Children and Family Centres,

• Information advice and support service

• ASC family support worker, and the BCP parenting hotline (telephone 020 8461 7259)

There are many developments underway to improve timely and appropriate support and help for families and children and we will keep all partners updated as changes happen. To find out more you can attend an in-person meeting on either the 9th of May 2023 (14.00-15.00) or the 18th of May 2023 (09.00-10.00). These sessions will allow for any questions, challenges, and new ideas to be shared. To book onto one of these sessions, please contact Sinn Cordrey by email Sinn.Cordrey@bromley.gov.uk or by phoning 0208 461 7122.