1.0 Information Sharing Policy - Northern Territory Council of Social ...

• Determine if information requested is appropriate to share and relevant to the child’s safety
and wellbeing.
• Determine that you reasonably believe that the sharing of this information will not endanger
the child or another person’s life or physical safety
• Consider what the requested information will be used for (i.e. assessment, case planning,
service provision, or to initiate an investigation). This will assist you to determine the
relevant information to share.
• Consider obtaining consent from the child and/or family members before sharing
information. Best practice is to seek consent before information is exchanged, provided that
doing so will not impact negatively upon the child’s safety or wellbeing or an investigation in
relation to a child.
• Determine and use the most appropriate method of communication on a case by case basis
– information can be shared verbally, by email or in writing.
• Ensure all exchanges of information, made under the information Sharing Framework, are
recorded in the Client File – in accordance with the Record Keeping and Documentation
procedure described below (refer procedure 5).
4. When and how to refuse to share information
As an Authorised Information Sharer you may refuse to share information:
• When the person making the request is not an Authorised Information Sharer.
• When the information requested is not relevant to the child safety or wellbeing of the child
in question.
• When the request is not in relation to a specified child or children.
• When you reasonably believe that sharing the information might:
◦ Endanger a person’s life or physical safety;
◦ Prejudice the investigation of a crime or other illegal activity;
◦ Prejudice a Coronial inquest or inquiry;
◦ Prejudice court or tribunal proceedings;
◦ Breach legal professional privilege or client legal privilege;
◦ Enable the identification of a confidential source related to the enforcement or
administration of a law; or
◦ Prejudice the effectiveness of a method or procedure for detecting, preventing or
investigating criminal or illegal activity.
In this circumstance, as an Authorised Information Sharer, you should:
• Notify the person making the request of the decision to refuse to share information and,
where safe, you can advise them of the reasons why.
• All refusals to share information have to be in writing.
• Ensure all exchanges of information, made under the Information Sharing Framework, are
recorded in the Client File – in accordance with the Record Keeping and Documentation
procedure described below (refer procedure 5).
5. Record Keeping and Documentation
It is best practice to record all exchanges (including refusals) of information made under the
information sharing framework in the Client File which might be as hard copy or as an electronic
record. .
• Documentation should cover:
◦ Information requests received;
◦ Information requests made;