Bracknell Forest’s Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA) explain how safeguarding partners — Bracknell Forest Council, Thames Valley Police and Frimley ICB — work together to protect children, young people and adults at risk.
They show how your organisation fits into the wider safeguarding system, and what good partnership working looks like.
1. Make safeguarding a shared, all‑age responsibility
Safeguarding for children, young people and adults is aligned so vulnerable people are protected consistently, including those transitioning into adulthood.
What this means for you:
- You’ll receive all‑age safeguarding updates and learning.
- You don’t need to navigate separate systems — expectations are aligned.
2. Bring agencies together to work consistently and effectively
Our MASA describe how partners and RAs collaborate through shared priorities, meetings, learning activities and joint oversight, ensuring timely and coherent action.
What this means for you:
- You know who to contact and how agencies work together.
- You’re part of a consistent, borough‑wide framework.
3. Strengthen information sharing and decision‑making
Effective safeguarding relies on timely, lawful, confident information sharing. MASA reinforce clear protocols so partners can act quickly.
What this means for you:
- You can share concerns confidently and lawfully.
- You don’t need to hold all the answers; sharing what you know is enough.
4. Improve practice through learning, reviews and data
Local data, case reviews, audits and feedback drive ongoing improvement across the partnership. Learning is shared with RAs in accessible ways.
What this means for you:
- You receive practical, relevant learning updates.
- You can contribute experiences from your organisation.
5. Support proportionate, safe, and confident partnership working
MASA set realistic expectations for all partners, recognising differences in size, capacity and role.
What this means for you:
- Expectations are simple and proportionate.
- You’re supported with signposting and clear escalation routes.
6. Ensure accountability and independent scrutiny
Independent scrutiny checks that arrangements work as intended and ensures continual improvement.
What this means for you:
- The system you are part of is overseen and improving.
- Your feedback and involvement contribute to safeguarding quality.
7. Align guidance, pathways and thresholds
MASA ensure that agencies use consistent thresholds and pathways so decisions are clear and families get the right support at the right time.
What this means for you:
- You’ll always know where to go with a concern.
- Your actions align with borough‑wide expectations.
Read more: Our full Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Arrangements.
✔ Understand and discharge safeguarding responsibilities in line with local arrangements.
✔ Cooperate with safeguarding partners to improve, implement and monitor local arrangements.
✔ Share information lawfully and proportionately to protect children and support local priorities.
✔ Keep policies and training up to date.
✔ Engage with learning offers — newsletters, briefings, and online sessions.
To make this easy and helpful, we’ll provide:
- Safeguarding Newsletters – quarterly updates including reviews, audits and national guidance, signposting, model resources and local priorities.
- Lunchtime Learning Sessions – focused, 45–60 minute online sessions with Q&A.
- Signposting & Templates – links to policy templates, reporting pathways, and self‑help tools.
- Contact Point – quick advice or escalation routes when you need them.
Tip: Share this page with your trustees/committee members or volunteers so everyone knows what being an RA involves.
Each year we’ll invite RAs to complete a short annual update. This helps us:
- keep contact details current
- understand training coverage and policy review dates
- target learning offers where they’ll add most value
We’ll keep it brief and practical—typically a 10-minute online form—so it supports improvement without adding unnecessary burden.
The Pan‑Berkshire online procedures will ensure you always have access to the most up‑to‑date statutory and local procedures.
Two areas you may find useful:
Are small voluntary groups or venue‑only organisations expected to be RAs?
We look at your activities and safeguarding impact. Where your role is mainly venue hire, we’ll balance benefits and burden and support you proportionately.
Are commissioned services automatically RAs?
Often yes, due to their safeguarding responsibilities and proximity to vulnerable groups. We confirm this clearly in letters/emails.
What learning opportunities can our staff access?
Quarterly newsletters and a range of short online sessions. Dates are shared through the RA mailing list.
How do we get advice on thresholds or pathways?
Check the children’s thresholds guidance or contact us directly for signposting.