It is vital that practitioners share information to ensure the best outcomes for the children, young people and families they work with. It is also essential to prevent significant harm to children and serious harm to adults, as well as to prevent and detect crime.

To help practitioners share information, the government has developed tools such as the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). In addition to this tools and guidance have been developed locally to help practitioners share information securely and effectively.

Trafford has developed an Information Sharing Toolkit to help practitioners share information effectively. This toolkit contains documents and guidance which can be used as part of their work with children and young people.

The first three tiers of the Information Sharing Toolkit are template documents which on completion will make up Information Sharing Protocols. Information Sharing Protocols explain the circumstances and arrangements made for bulk sharing of information between organisations. It is important to note that this does NOT apply to case by case information sharing. Tier 4 of the toolkit will be a Matrix that can be used to show what kind of information is held by an organisation.

• Tier 1 - Framework Document
• Tier 2 - Information Community Agreement
• Tier 3 - Operational Arrangement
• Tier 4 - Information Sharing Matrix template

This document is the policy which all partners will adopt in respect of information sharing. It should be read in conjunction with any related policies within the organisation. The policy was based upon guidance from the DCSF and NHS.

Tier 5 - Information Sharing and Confidentiality Policy and Guidance

Tier 6 of the Information Sharing Toolkit is the Children and Young People's Service Privacy Notice. This has been developed to explain the approach taken to Information Sharing by the Children and Young People's Service.

Tier 7 details the learning outcomes required in information sharing based on the learning outcomes within 'Working Together to Safeguard Children' (DfES, 2006), and in consideration of the Common Core Competencies.

Training in Information Sharing is available through the Integrated Working Training Programme and is a pre-requisite of CAF and ContactPoint training.

Tier 7 - Learning Outcomes

Tier 8 of the Information Sharing Toolkit contains practical guidance for practitioners to use. It contains advice and forms for practical use including consent forms and confidentiality agreements.

Tier 8 - Privacy, Confidentiality and Consent Practical Guidance.