‘Mistaken beliefs’ on information sharing hold back safeguarding work
Misunderstandings among child protection professionals about what information can be shared between agencies is undermining the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding hubs (Mash), a government report has concluded.
Many of the professionals interviewed by the Home Office for its review of procedures to identify children at risk of abuse,, felt that some practitioners withheld information too frequently because there was a perception that the risk of sharing it with others was higher than it actually is.
The review, which spoke to professionals in 37 local authority areas operating Mash, found multi-agency work to safeguard vulnerable children was being held back as a result of “mistaken beliefs” over information sharing by practitioners and managers.
A MASH co-locates a range of agencies, including police, local authority children’s services, education, probation and health staff to share information and spot emerging problems early, potentially saving lives.
Most of those interviewed for the review felt that while the law around information sharing was fit for purpose, guidance for practitioners needs to be improved. They also raised concerns that a legal ruling over a case involving the London Borough of Haringey was being misinterpreted to mean that information could not be shared by Mash partners due to Data Protection Act restrictions.
The report has prompted the government to review guidance for practitioners and the Centre for Excellence for Information Sharing has been commissioned to work with local areas to provide targeted support to Mash on information sharing. The report’s findings will also be shared at a series of practitioner workshops and roadshows over the coming year.
Crime prevention minister Norman Baker said: “The government is determined to tackle child abuse and Mash have a clear role to play in this.
“Local agencies are now better placed than ever before to make informed decisions about how best to ensure children are protected, and I want to send a clear message – if it’s a choice between data protection and child protection, child protection must come first.”
The report also finds that multi-agency working is key to effective early identification of risk, and highlights best practice examples on how Mashs do this.
A report last year found MASH in London have nearly halved the amount of time it takes to deal with child protection referrals, according to new research.
Has anyone experienced this first hand ? would love to hear from you.
