What is Child Link?
Child Link is a digital tool that shows information about every child aged 0 to 18 in Victoria. It’s designed to provide professionals with the information they need to support the wellbeing and safety of children and families they work with.
Child Link brings together information already held by government services, such as kindergartens, schools, and maternal and child health services. This helps trained, authorised professionals see important information in one place to better understand children’s needs.
We understand that for some Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families, there may be questions or concerns with sharing information about your children with government services. Child Link displays information to professionals that has already been collected by government services, it doesn’t ask families to share any extra information.
Only authorised professionals who are directly supporting a child can access their information, and only when it’s needed to keep the child safe and well.
How Child Link helps kids
Child Link supports authorised professionals to:
- build a clearer understanding of a child ’s wellbeing and safety
- identify any needs earlier
- work together across services
- make informed decisions about support
- support children during big changes, like starting at a new school.
Information on Child Link
Child Link shows key information, like:
- whether a child identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- basic details such as name, date of birth and sex
- parents, carers and siblings
- involvement with services (for example, where they go to kinder or school)
- whether the child or their siblings have had involvement with child protection or out-of-home care.
Child Link does not show case notes, professional opinions or health records. It also does not include any contact details for families.
The professionals who use Child Link cannot edit the information displayed on Child Link.
Child Link helps professionals access the right information at the right time, supporting earlier action and better outcomes for children and families.
Who can access it
Only trained, authorised professionals can access the information, including:
- school principals and other key staff
- key early childhood staff
- maternal and child health nurses
- child protection workers
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).
The people who can use Child Link in each organisation, service or school is limited.
Most Child Link users can only view information about the children attending their school or service.
How Child Link protects information
Child Link is a secure system with strong safeguards in place.
Information can only be accessed by trained, authorised professionals who are responsible for a child’s wellbeing and safety.
Professionals can only share information when it is safe and appropriate under information sharing and privacy laws.
More information
The services that support you and your family are best placed to answer any questions you have about Child Link.
If you are concerned that Child Link may have been used in a way that is not permitted, you have the right to provide feedback or make a complaint. For more information, see Child Link complaints.
Resources
Download the Child Link flyer and factsheet below.
Updated