INFORMATION SHARING: The Moral Imperative – Why Its Your Duty To Share Information. Sian Griffiths Independent Social Worker NORFOLK SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARD

NSCB Information Sharing Policy “ where there are concerns that a child is or may be at risk of significant harm, the interests of the child must come first”

Why the focus on information sharing? Statutory requirement Ethical position Best practice

Best Practice? Effective information sharing contributes to: Achieving best possible outcomes f0r children and families Minimising potential for serious harm

Learning from Serious Case Reviews Victoria Climbie – quality of information exchanged was poor and a reluctance amongst some professionals to share information Peter Connolly – assumptions by some professionals that other people would have information Kyra Ishaq – “opportunities for wider information sharing existed, but were either not recognised, not shared, or delayed”. “It is simpler to lift the telephone than to live with the regret of not having done so”

Why do we keep making the same mistakes…? “in children’s services it is reasonable to assume that most people come to work each day wanting to help children, not to allow them to be harmed.” Eileen Munro

What hinders information sharing PRACTICE BARRIERS  Assuming someone else will have done it Un/conscious dilemma about competing client rights. Avoidance of confrontation with service user – managing the relationship Lack of focus on the child/children Time and energy Professional mistrust and assumptions Lack of professional confidence

What hinders information sharing ORGANISATIONAL AND SYSTEMIC BARRIERS Organisational culture and myths Practical barriers – not having the phone number, not knowing which office to call. Lack of clear pathways Lack of trust or understanding between agencies Resources

What supports effective information sharing? Understanding each other: language, priorities, role – professional multilinguilism! Culture of openness and transparency throughout the agency Time for reflection, support and quality supervision of staff An acceptance of appropriate professional challenge and processes for escalation Organisational stability

What information? Necessary Proportionate Relevant Accurate Timely Secure

Challenges to Services Are you sharing information or dumping information? Are you supporting your practitioners to achieve good practice? Ensure information sharing meets the child’s needs, not the agencies Consider how your wider policies and strategies impact on information sharing in practice How do you know your information sharing policy works in practice?