Information Sharing Report Executive Summary
Amanda Ellis & Andrea Brown
4-11-2016
Aim
Develop a programme to improve information exchange between safeguarding agencies focusing on developing an enabling framework and process as well as identifying what is necessary to create a culture of exchange to support safeguarding to be efficient, timely and effective
Methodology
Following the terms of reference at Appendix A, agreed by ACC Nick Davison and Director of Children’s Services Michael Rosen, Chief Inspector Amanda Ellis and Principle Social Worker Andrea Brown have looked in to their own organisations and examined the current position in terms of the very broad subject of information sharing. Some work has also been done to explore other organisations within Norfolk and also to look across the country at developments in information sharing.
Executive Summary
The depth and breadth of this area of business is extensive. It includes strategy & policy, cultural factors, ICT, training, data sharing all the way through to front line practitioners recognising the need to share information, sharing it appropriately and acting on it in a timely fashion to safeguard the individual /family. It is much broader than just the Police and Children’s Services. It must consider vulnerable adults as well as children and bring in key partners such as Health and Education.
There is a lack of clear governance at a county level to drive the necessary changes to ensure that all the challenges identified through this work are jointly resolved.
There are obvious cultural differences across organisations not only about sharing information but about acting on that information in a timely manner. Problems are apparent in both disclosure as part of a criminal investigation and also ‘real time’ information sharing between practitioners. It is very clear that enforcement is not seen as safeguarding and the reasons to share with the police are sometimes misunderstood. On occasions it is not a lack of will to share but a failure to recognise the benefits/need to share a smaller piece of information to enhance and ensure effective longer term safeguarding.
Over the last 5 years organisations across the county and departments within organisations have independently developed and/or adopted new ICT systems for example Athena (Police), Lorenzo (NSFT) and DOREIS (Early Help NCC). Currently the police are developing the partnership platform for Athena and NCC are progressing the procurement of a system to replace CareFirst (current arrangement ends 2017). It would appear all those at a senior management level have had sight of other organisations systems however due to a lack of Joint Governance at a County level, there appears to be no chance of these independent pieces of work being brought together at with the current lack of strategic oversight and control.
There is also the issue ofthe inconsistencies in the standard (and type) of vetting used across different agencies which does cause significant barriers to information sharing in terms of collocated teams outside of police premises.
Information sharing agreements are kept within individual organisations and not readily available or accessible; Norfolk Constabulary alone holds over 100 ISA’s.
On the horizon we have mandatory reporting for child abuse which will add to the complex nature of information sharing although we already have mandatory reporting for FGM in place.
Recommendations
1.1One overarching protocol for the County to replace the two we currently have and to ensure safeguarding is explicit within it.
1.2Overarching endorsement of the Principle of Information Sharing from the NSAB and NSCB
1.3To develop a strong communications plan for the county
1.4Identify a central repository for ISA’s so that every organisations can be aware and have easy access to those already agreed. This will reduce the duplication of work currently happening and also ensure transparency in terms of members of the public understanding how we all work together (hopefully removing the need to submit FOI requests).
2.1Agreed type and level of vetting across agencies
2.2Change the perception of enforcement to recognise the safeguarding aspect of it.
2.3Joint enquiries / debriefs and /or more processes to share lessons learnt more effectively
2.4Revisit ICPC process (building on recent report at Appendix E and recent positive changes)
2.5Continuation of the work by NC and NCC to enable the 2013 Protocol and Good Practice Model to be adopted in Norfolk in the short to medium term and consider the possibility of a joint NCC / NC disclosure hub to give a long term solution.
3.1Future method involving access to IT systems across agencies or IT systems that talk to each other would be more effective and efficient. This would be dependent on permission levels appropriate to roles and would also closely link with vetting.
4.1A county level ‘stock take’ of IT systems takes place to identify opportunities to use systems more effectively to promote more consistent sharing of information either by software links or common systems..
4.2Future procurement of systems is overseen by the strategic group set up or identified to manage strategic information sharing for the county.
5.1To progress the proposals at Appendix F to include information sharing as a golden thread throughout safeguarding training and move to joint training to promote good working relationships … a strong team culture with a shared purpose.
5.2To consider joint disclosure training based on case studies to enable those responsible for disclosure to better understand amongst other elements what is relevant.
5.3Consider the concept of ‘Information Sharing Champions’ across organisations to offer practical operational support.
6.1Identify an existing strategic group to take on this role for example the Public Protection Forum or establish a group specifically to drive activity rather than single agencies
6.2Consider the use of an external body to deliver this work for Norfolk one possibility would be an approach to the Centre of Excellence for Information Sharing