Inter-agency Information Sharing Protocols Criteria and Guidance Toolkit

With the development of more integrated services for children, young people and adults, and the increasing introduction of electronic systems, the range of information that may need to be shared on a regular basis is increasing. This can be supported by developing information sharing protocols.

Information sharing protocols are about business processes, legalities and being able to trust and understand what each agency is doing and bringing to the joint working process. They are about agreeing and establishing processes, and documenting roles and responsibilities.

This toolkit aims to provide practical help on writing and reviewing information sharing protocols, and is based on the guidance provided by the Department of Constitutional Affairs.

It comprises:

• A list of the standards, and explanation of why each standard is necessary
  
  
• An audit checklist for protocols
  
  
• Guidance on how to develop an information sharing protocol
  
  
• Criteria for protocols linked to examples to assist you in writing protocols. This is divided into three levels

This toolkit has been developed in partnership through the Local E-Government Standards Body Information Sharing Standards Group. It only covers information management issues and not case planning or assessment arrangements which should also be included in the protocol.