Learning from Information Sharing and Assessment Trailblazers

This document describes how local authority information sharing and assessment (ISA) trailblazers have influenced the development of the information sharing index project managed by the DfES.

Information sharing (IS) indexes are a tool that will support a much broader programme of change - as the trailblazers have demonstrated locally. This document also, therefore, explains how the trailblazers have supported the development of other parts of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme.

The document sets out:

• The history and background to the trailblazer experience, explaining why they were selected, how they have been funded, and what they were asked to do
• A summary of their successes and challenges
• What specific areas of the information sharing index project the trailblazers are helping to develop
• How trailblazer's experiences can demonstrate the benefits of information sharing indexes
• How learning from trailblazers has informed and supported the development of policy and practice in other parts of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme
• A brief assessment of how we will work with trailblazers in the future
• What conclusions to draw at this stage