1.0 Information Sharing Policy - Northern Territory Council of Social ...
1.0 Information Sharing Policy - Northern Territory Council of Social ...
1.0 Information Sharing Policy - Northern Territory Council of Social ...
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• Specify the child or children to whom the information relates when sharing the information.<br />
• Have a reasonable belief that the information would help the recipient take a specified<br />
action in relation to the child or children. Such as conduct an investigation, make a decision<br />
or provide a service to enable informed case management practices.<br />
In this circumstance, as an Authorised <strong>Information</strong> Sharer, you should:<br />
• Determine and use the most appropriate method <strong>of</strong> communication on a case by case basis<br />
– information can be shared verbally, by email or in writing.<br />
• Ensure all exchanges <strong>of</strong> information, made under the information <strong>Sharing</strong> Framework, are<br />
recorded in the Client File – in accordance with the Record Keeping and Documentation<br />
procedure described below (refer procedure 5).<br />
2. How to request information<br />
As an Authorised <strong>Information</strong> Sharer, you should:<br />
• Determine the information you wish to collect and clearly identify the child or group <strong>of</strong><br />
children about whom you wish to collect the information.<br />
• Review the Client File to check you are not asking partner agencies to prepare and provide<br />
duplicate information.<br />
• Determine which person you wish to request the information from.<br />
• Determine if the person is an <strong>Information</strong> <strong>Sharing</strong> Authority.<br />
• Identify the reasons why you need the information (i.e. assessment, case planning, service<br />
provision, or to initiate or conduct an investigation).<br />
• Check whether the person or organisation providing the information has obtained consent<br />
from the relevant parties before sharing information. Best practice is to seek consent<br />
before information is exchanged, provided that doing so will not impact negatively upon the<br />
child’s safety or wellbeing or an investigation in relation to a child.<br />
• Ensure seeking consent does not jeopardise the safety or wellbeing <strong>of</strong> any other person<br />
including a person in your workplace or employee <strong>of</strong> another organisation.<br />
• Indicate the time period for the information being sought (e.g. for the last six months, last<br />
three years).<br />
• Provide a realistic timeframe to the Authorised <strong>Information</strong> Sharer for the requested<br />
information. Communicating/negotiating a due date is best practice as it promotes<br />
collaboration and can ensure urgent matters are prioritised.<br />
• Determine and use the most appropriate method <strong>of</strong> communication on a case by case basis<br />
– information can be shared verbally, by email or in writing.<br />
• Ensure all exchanges <strong>of</strong> information, made under the <strong>Information</strong> <strong>Sharing</strong> Framework, are<br />
recorded in the Client File – in accordance with the Record Keeping and Documentation<br />
procedure described below (refer procedure 5).<br />
3. How to provide information<br />
As an Authorised <strong>Information</strong> Sharer, you should:<br />
• If receiving a request for information, determine if the person or organisation requesting the<br />
information is an information sharing authority. If this person is unknown to you, you can<br />
ask them to put their request into an email, which will confirm the organisation they are<br />
working for. If you are still not clear, then you can contact the agency by phone and ask for<br />
verification <strong>of</strong> employment and confirmation <strong>of</strong> the organisation that this person is an<br />
information sharing authority.