Benefits of Child Protection - Information Sharing

Here are a selection of CP-IS case studies from the live site estate.

1. Knowing the child protection status of the child contributes to a more holistic clinical assessment whilst in a healthcare setting. As a result, decisions can be made to seek intervention earlier. With instant access to CP-IS information, communication with the appropriate social worker can take place quickly leading to a better outcome for the child.

• Case study: improving communication between health and care
• Case study: the value of closed cases

2. The social worker is notified immediately that a child in their care has presented at an unscheduled care setting. The social worker has knowledge of the child and family and can assess whether an intervention is required to achieve a good outcome for the child.

• Case study: providing evidence for social care teams
• Case study: improving decisions about clinical care

1. CP-IS is a national system. Health staff can see vital information about children based anywhere in England. Social care staff can see if a child in their care attends an unscheduled care setting anywhere in the country.

• Case study: protecting children when out of area

2. Health and social care staff are provided with each other's contact details so they are able to work more closely together. Sharing information will support better decision making about the child's care.

• Case study: better use of NHS resources

3. Health staff in unscheduled care settings have more reliable checks and the risk of missing a child who is known to a local authority is reduced. In addition, a flagged vulnerable child is more likely to see a senior clinician ensuring a senior overview of the child's care.

• Case study: protecting unborn children subject to child protection plans

1. Child Protection - Information Sharing replaces manual processes, thus freeing up resources to be used elsewhere. The process is automated and information is sent to the NHS Spine daily ensuring child's data is always up to date and current.

2. In the long term, local authorities won't have to collate a child protection list and send it to their local health partners. This will remove the associated costs, time and effort in managing this process. Likewise, NHS trusts won't have to receive and distribute the child protection list to the relevant departments, or set safeguarding flags to alert clinicians if a child attends. The freed up time, cost and effort can be used elsewhere.

• Case study: better use of local authority resources