An effective information sharing policy and procedure is one which clearly outlines the processes and principles for sharing information both internally and on a multi-agency basis.
An effective information sharing policy and procedure includes:
- a policy statement confirming the setting’s commitment to information sharing whilst maintaining confidentiality;
- that practitioners and their managers are aware of and understand these procedures;
- how parents are informed about information that may be shared and when;
- an explanation of when confidentiality may be overridden, for example, where the needs of the child have to be put first.
- recognition that information sharing is central to safeguarding children.
- reference to the document ‘Information sharing – Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers’ (DfE 2018);
- reference to the seven golden rules for information sharing and how these are managed within the setting;
- how information is recorded in the setting, including decisions to share or not share and the reasons for this;
- confirmation that information sharing decisions are made on a case by case basis;
- how information is stored to ensure confidentiality is maintained where appropriate
- how procedures are implemented in line with the Data Protection Act 2018;
- details of how information sharing is always necessary and proportionate; relevant; adequate; accurate; timely; secure and recorded.