Thresholds and Referrals
If you work with children, young people, or families in Croydon, it’s important to know how and when to make a referral when concerns arise.
What is a Threshold
Thresholds help professionals decide what level of support or intervention a child or family may need. They ensure concerns are assessed consistently across agencies by setting out the different levels of need, harm, and risk, and helping practitioners determine whether Early Help, targeted intervention, or statutory social care involvement is appropriate.
Understanding thresholds is essential before making a referral to the Croydon Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). A referral is made when a professional shares concerns about a child’s welfare or safety that may meet the threshold for statutory assessment.
Referrals may be based on:
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Observed harm or risk of harm
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Concerns about neglect, abuse, or unmet needs
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Escalation from Early Help or support services
The MASH brings together professionals from social care, police, health, education, and other services to share information, assess risk, and make timely decisions. Applying thresholds correctly helps ensure children receive the right help at the right time.
Understanding Thresholds of Need
Before making a referral, it is important to understand the level of need or risk. Across London, professionals use a shared framework called the Continuum of Need, which helps determine the most appropriate support for each child and family. Practitioners in Croydon should refer to the London Safeguarding Continuum of Need Matrix to identify the correct threshold before submitting a referral. This ensures that decisions are consistent, evidence based and aligned to the level of need identified. Using the matrix supports effective professional judgement and strengthens the quality of information shared with the MASH.
Title | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
Level 1 - Universal | Needs met by universal services such as schools, GPs, and Family Hubs. | Child is healthy, attending school regularly, supported by parents. |
Level 2 - Early Help | Emerging worries that can be addressed with targeted support. | Family experiencing difficulties with housing or parenting. |
Level 3 - Child in Need | Complex or multiple needs requiring a statutory Children’s Social Care assessment (Section 17, Children Act 1989). | Ongoing neglect concerns, or a child needing coordinated multi-agency support. |
Level 4 - Child Protection | Acute risk of significant harm requiring urgent intervention (Section 47, Children Act 1989). | Child experiencing physical or sexual abuse, or severe neglect. |
Making Effective Referrals in Croydon
Your first point of call for understanding thresholds and making a referral
Effective safeguarding relies on professionals and community organisations recognising concerns early, understanding levels of need, and knowing how to act. To support this, the CSCP has developed the Referral Guidance Toolkit, a practical resource designed to help you navigate the referral process with confidence.
This toolkit should be your first point of call when you are considering making a referral to the MASH. It brings together essential information on thresholds of need, signs of harm, professional curiosity, and the key components of a high-quality referral. Whether you work in health, education, early years, youth services, the voluntary sector, faith communities, or any other organisation supporting children and families, this toolkit offers clear, accessible guidance tailored for Croydon’s multi-agency workforce.
What the toolkit will help you do
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Understand and apply the London Child Protection Procedures Thresholds of Need within a Croydon context.
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Identify when a concern requires Early Help, targeted support, or statutory social care involvement.
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Know what information MASH needs to make safe, timely decisions.
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Strengthen your professional judgment and avoid over-reliance on copying threshold descriptors.
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Record concerns clearly, factually, and proportionately.
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Improve the quality and consistency of referrals across all agencies, large and small.
Why this toolkit matters
High-quality referrals directly impact the timeliness and effectiveness of safeguarding responses. Clear, well-evidenced information enables MASH to apply thresholds correctly, assess risk, and allocate the right support.
For smaller organisations who may not hold detailed records, the toolkit provides practical tips on what to include, how to gather essential information, and how to articulate concerns in a way that supports safe decision-making.
(click on image to enlarge)
What’s included
The CSCP Referral Guidance Toolkit is provided as an easy-to-use resource available as a PowerPoint or PDF, designed for personal reference, staff training, and supervision discussions. It can be used flexibly within teams to build confidence, support reflective practice, and ensure consistent application of thresholds across all agencies.
The toolkit contains:
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A clear explanation of thresholds and how they apply
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Guidance on recognising concerns and applying professional curiosity
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Step-by-step instructions for making a MASH referral
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What to do if you do not have complete information
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Examples of poor and high-quality referrals
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A simple decision-making flowchart
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Guidance for smaller organisations, youth settings, and community groups
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Key contacts, follow-up expectations, and good recording practice
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A glossary of services and teams
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Links to additional resources, including threshold guidance and professional curiosity training
Who should use it
This toolkit is designed for:
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Practitioners making referrals as part of their role
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New starters completing safeguarding induction
- Organisations wanting to strengthen internal safeguarding procedures
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Any professional working with or supporting children, young people, or families in Croydon