Referrals – Worried About a Child?

What should you do if you have concerns about a child’s welfare?

If you have urgent concerns and suspect that a child is being neglected or abused, please telephone Redbridge Council Children’s Social Care on:

• 020 8708 3885 from 09:00 to 17:00
• 020 8708 5897 after 17:00, at weekends and on public holidays (only to be accessed if the concern cannot wait until the next working day)

You will probably be asked to confirm your concerns in a referral known as a Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF), which should be completed via the on-line portal.

For immediate help, of if you believe a crime is being, or about to be committed, please call the Police on 999.  For more information on when to call the police, please see document below:

• NPCC When to Call the Police – Guidance for Schools and Colleges (PDF 329KB)

If not urgent, please complete an online MARF to the Redbridge MASH via

• Redbridge – Professionals working with children and young people

If you have concerns about an adult who may be at risk of abuse, please view our safeguarding adults page.

Please do not contact the Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership (RSCP) in relation to concerns about a child.  The RSCP is a strategic multi-agency body that does not commission or deliver services, nor hold case records.  All child safeguarding concerns should be directed to the Local Authority (see above).

RSCP Multi-Agency Threshold Document – under review

• Redbridge SCP Multi-Agency Safeguarding Referrals & Threshold Interim Guidance – July 2025 (PDF 2MB)

Redbridge has adopted and works to the London Safeguarding Children Procedures and Practice Guidance, which includes the Threshold –  Continuum of Need Matrix.

Example Referrals

Below are some example referrals from different services/agencies, plus a template with guidance notes, which may be helpful to view for learning purposes.

• Portal – MARF Adult Mental Health – Example Request for Service (PDF 154KB)
• Portal – MARF Health – Example Request for Service (PDF 151KB)
• Portal – MARF School – Example Safeguarding and Protection (PDF 184KB)
• Portal – MARF School – Example Request for Service (PDF 158KB)
• Portal – MARF Early Years – Example Request for Service (PDF 154KB)
• Portal – MARF Template with Guidance Notes (PDF 182KB)

Multi-Agency Thresholds and Referrals Meeting

The MASH Manager in LB Redbridge Children’s Services chairs a monthly multi-agency Thresholds and Referrals Working Group meeting which is open to professionals working with children, young people and families in Redbridge.

The meeting provides an opportunity to discuss thresholds and gain feedback on the quality, timeliness and appropriateness of referrals submitted to the MASH.  It is also a forum for agencies, including health providers, schools and voluntary sector organisations to feed back to Children’s Social Care.  Below are the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Group.

• Redbridge MA Thresholds & Referrals Meeting – TOR – March 2025 (PDF 741KB)

If you would like to know more or to join one of the monthly ‘virtual’ meetings which take place on a Thursday morning from 10:00 to 11:00, please contact the RSCP Manager via RedbridgeSCP@redbridge.gov.uk.