SJT: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Roles: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Explained: MASH, LADO, MARAC & MAPPA (MSRA SJT Deep Dive)

In safeguarding, choosing the wrong referral route — or delaying by even hours — can place patients at serious risk and expose you to major professional consequences. Yet confusion around MASH, LADO, MARAC and MAPPA remains one of the most common causes of MSRA SJT errors.This episode gives you a clear, operational, exam-safe framework to instantly identify the correct multi-agency “door”, share information lawfully, and document defensibly under pressure.You’ll master:✅ Why multi-agency safeguarding exists (no single service ever has the full picture)✅ The concept of organisational memory and why ad-hoc emails always lose marks✅ MASH as the single front door for new child safeguarding concerns✅ LADO for any allegation against a professional in a position of trust✅ The one-working-day rule for notifying LADO✅ MARAC for high-risk domestic abuse only✅ The role of the DASH risk assessment in triggering MARAC✅ MAPPA for managing violent and sexual offenders in the community✅ When clinicians contribute information rather than lead MAPPA✅ The FIRST–NEXT–LAST escalation sequence✅ The DOORS mnemonic for flawless high-scoring actions✅ Lawful breach of confidentiality to prevent serious harm✅ Common exam traps that cause automatic mark loss✅ High-yield model phrases that demonstrate senior-level understandingThis episode is essential for:• MSRA SJT candidates• Foundation Doctors and GP Trainees• Emergency, medical and paediatric clinicians• Anyone responsible for raising safeguarding concerns in the NHS📎 More MSRA resources to accompany this episode:https://passthemsra.com00:00 — Scenario: witnessing inappropriate behaviour by a colleague01:25 — The single safeguarding takeaway: right door, lawful sharing, documentation02:06 — Why multi-agency safeguarding exists02:48 — Organisational memory & formal escalation03:38 — The four safeguarding “doors” framework03:48 — MASH: the front door for new child safeguarding concerns04:29 — LADO: allegations against professionals in positions of trust05:06 — The one-working-day LADO notification rule05:19 — MARAC: high-risk domestic abuse only05:35 — DASH risk assessment as the MARAC trigger06:06 — MAPPA: managing violent & sexual offenders06:40 — The FIRST–NEXT–LAST safeguarding sequence07:32 — The DOORS mnemonic (Determine, Obtain, Offer, Refer, Summarise)08:02 — Lawful information sharing & documentation protection09:01 — Mixed-risk scenario: adult DA + children — which door first?09:39 — High-risk exam traps that lose marks instantly10:29 — Model phrases for MARAC and LADO referrals11:09 — The three golden safeguarding rules12:10 — Why documentation is often the most critical safeguard