CODE OF PRACTICE TO FACILITATE THE PROVISION OF THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT TO CHILD WITNESSES IN COURT PROCEEDINGS
APPENDIX 6: EXAMPLES OF GUIDANCE ON INFORMATION SHARING
Protecting Children and Young People: Framework for Standards 8
Standard 4:
Agencies and professionals share information about children where this is necessary to protect them
1 Professionals discuss any concerns and relevant information about a child or their circumstances with those other professionals or agencies with statutory responsibilities for the protection of children when it is in the child's best interests to do so.
2 The needs of each child are the primary consideration when professionals decide how best to share information. All decisions and reasons for them are recorded.
3 Agencies actively manage and support the sharing of information recognising that confidentiality does not prevent sharing information where a child is in need of protection.
4 Professionals ensure that parents and children are made aware of, and check it is understood, what information:
- agencies hold;
- how it is stored;
- with whom it may be shared; and
- under what circumstances information may be shared with others without their consent.
5 Professionals identify what information each child and their parents are content to share freely.
6 Professionals take account of each child and their parent's views when deciding when to share information without their consent and can provide reasons and explain to them when they have shared information without consent.
7 Agencies and professionals store information securely.
Sharing Information about Children at Risk: A Guide to Good Practice 9
This short guide gives advice to agencies about when it is necessary to share personal and confidential information about people using their service with other professionals, to safeguard and protect the welfare of children who may be vulnerable or at risk. It is designed to help staff approach this complex area with greater clarity and confidence. There is also a brief one page guide which summarises the leaflet.