THURROCK has been praised for leading the way in protecting children from harm.

Deputy Chief Constable of Essex, Derek Benson, was speaking at the official launch of the Thurrock MASH – Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub – on Monday at Thurrock Council’s Civic Offices in Grays.

Mr Benson said: “Thurrock Council, health in all its various forms, probation, housing, education, troubled families, youth offending, and of course Essex Police are all contributing to the wider MASH team.

“Working together we can achieve significantly earlier prevention and involvement. We can be far more than the sum of all our parts.

“It’s great to see the way Thurrock is leading the way in identifying those in danger of harm.”

The launch was opened by Carmel Littleton, director of Children’s Services at Thurrock Council who explained the MASH means staff from many different organisations sharing information in real time; in minutes instead of hours and days.

She said: “It will be the quality of our practices, our inter-agency communication, our desire and commitment to keep the child at the heart of our work which will determine the success of our MASH.

“Having seen the unparalleled commitment and talent of our partners and staff, I have enormous confidence that our MASH will make children and young people in Thurrock safer than they have ever been.”

And Ruth Blackburn, Head of Children’s Services at NELFT – the North East London Foundation Trust – said the ethos of the MASH was simple: “One team supporting the child and their family.”

Guests were also given a guided tour of the hub at the Civic Offices.