Multi-agency working and information sharing are key to effective safeguarding and child protection.1 Perennial issues around practice in both these areas have been identified in case reviews and inquiries, including in the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s (the Panel’s) 2022/23 annual report.2
> Read our summary of the Panel’s annual report 2022/23
This learning from case reviews briefing looks at a sample of case reviews, published by local safeguarding partnerships between 2017 and 2023, where there were issues around multi-agency working and information sharing.
Each professional working with a family brings their own knowledge, insight and perspective. However, the case reviews highlighted that professionals sometimes face challenges around:
Good practice involves professionals from different agencies taking joint responsibility for finding effective ways of working together, making joint decisions where possible, and actively seeking and providing information.
References
Department for Education (DfE) (2023) Improving multi-agency information sharing (PDF). [London]: Department for Education.Our series of thematic briefings highlight the learning from case reviews conducted when a child dies, or is seriously harmed, as a result of abuse or neglect. Each briefing focuses on a different topic or learning for specific sectors, pulling together key risk factors and practice recommendations.
References
A summary of the updates and changes made to the statutory safeguarding guidance for England in December 2023.
What to do if you have concerns that a child you know through your work or volunteering has experienced abuse and neglect.
Guidance to help organisations understand the principles of keeping and managing records about child protection concerns.
