This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: New research concludes that Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs (MASHs) are failing to provide better protection for children in England, instead causing families distress and putting more pressure on social care resources. Published in the British Journal of Social Work, it is the first national study to examine MASHs in terms of outcomes for children and families.
It found that the introduction of MASHs was associated with substantial increases in child protection investigations compared with areas without a MASH. Despite this, MASHs resulted in no significant difference in the use of Child Protection Plans or rates of serious harm and child deaths. Led by Andy Bilson, emeritus professor of social work at the University of Lancashire, the study analyzed Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from 130 English local authorities linked to national child protection data from 2010–2024.
The findings question the evidence that underpins the government's new Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams, which were recently legislated for under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026. By examining the correlation between the introduction of MASHs and child protection activity, the data highlights that local authorities with a MASH generally had a sharper increase in Section 47 investigations than those without—but there is little evidence that these led to a rise in Child Protection Plans. Over the past 15 years, MASHs have become a central feature of child protection policy across England, bringing together social workers, police, health care and education professionals to share information that informs decisions about referrals to children's social care.
The research comes amid growing scrutiny of England's child protection system, including concerns over rapidly growing numbers of investigations. Despite limited evidence that they will improve outcomes, Parliament has mandated Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams in every local authority in England by March 2027. The Department for Education (DfE) has also launched a consultation on the statutory framework for children's help, support and protection, with responses open until September.
The study argues that this reflects a wider problem in the English child protection system: New arrangements are often introduced in reaction to individual tragedies without adequate evaluation of whether they are effective or reduce harm across the wider population. Bilson said, "Although ministers have described multi-agency child protection reforms as necessary to prevent tragedies and save lives, this study found no evidence that MASHs have reduced serious harm or child deaths. That raises serious questions about the evidence for extending similar models nationally.
"These findings show that the huge increase in child protection investigations associated with MASHs has done little to improve the identification of children who need protection. Instead, many more families are drawn into intrusive and distressing investigations that do not lead to a Child Protection Plan, causing significant harm to children and families. "The research found no clear evidence that MASHs reduce harm to children.
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