Information sharing

Information sharing is key to the Government's goal of delivering better and more efficient public services that are coordinated around the needs of children, young people and families. To support local areas in embedding good practice in information sharing, the Government has produced information-sharing guidance and supporting materials.

Guidance

The HM Government information sharing guidance suite of materials includes guidance for practitioners and managers, a pocket guide, further guidance on legal issues and case examples.

Practitioner support tools

A set of short 'how to' guides developed to complement the HM Government information sharing guidance.
Posters demonstrating the golden rules and key questions for information sharing from the guidance.
A DVD providing examples of seeking consent for information sharing. (This is currently under development and will available to order in March 2010.)

Training materials

Information sharing: Introductory training course, available from the Every Child Matters: Online publications website.
Downloadable training materials designed for local multi-agency training, and for use by providers of initial training and continuous professional development.

Implementation support tools

The Embedding information sharing factsheet highlights organisational and cultural aspects that ensure that good practice in information sharing is promoted and supported.
The Embedding information sharing toolkit provides examples of activities that help to address key barriers and levers to information sharing and ensure it becomes embedded.

Information sharing quiz

Find out how much you know about information sharing by taking this quiz for practitioners and managers:

Further information

Statement on information sharing agreements and protocols (October 2008)
This statement aims to summarise how information sharing governance can support good practice, and clarifies the role of information sharing protocols. It details why agreements and protocols are unnecessary for sharing information about individual children.

Information sharing: Question and answer (January 2010)

Better information sharing in practice
Case studies showing how the function of the lead professional, use of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and multi-agency working contribute to better information sharing.

Integrated working factsheets
This includes a factsheet on information sharing guidance. The Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) supports the implementation of integrated working.