What is Child Link?
Child Link is a digital tool that shows key information about children aged 0 to 18 in Victoria. It supports professionals to make more informed decisions for child wellbeing and safety.
The information on Child Link comes from services that support children and young people, such as maternal and child health services, kindergartens and schools. It is limited to the brief, factual information that has been collected by government services. Child Link does not show any case notes, professional opinions or health records.
Professionals with access to Child Link can see this information in one secure place, so they have the information they need to better support the children they work with.
Only professionals who are directly supporting a child can access information, and only when it’s needed to keep the child safe and well.
"When using Child Link, we better understand what is happening in a child’s life to provide support and care."
- Authorised Child Link User
How Child Link helps children
The information on Child Link helps professionals to:
- build a clearer understanding of a child’s wellbeing and safety
- make more informed decisions to support a child’s wellbeing and safety
- identify any needs earlier
- work with other professionals in the best interests of every child
- support children during big changes, like starting at a new school.
Child Link provides authorised professionals with the information they need to act early to support children’s wellbeing and safety.
"New students to our school can be quickly looked up, and I can make a judgement as to the level of support they are likely to require and do that much earlier."
- Authorised Child Link User
Information on Child Link
Child Link shows key information, including:
- basic details: name, date of birth and sex
- family details: names of parents, carers and siblings
- service engagement: for example maternal and child health, kindergarten, school and school support programs
- First Nations identity: whether a child identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- child protection or out-of-home care: lists past or current involvement for the child or their siblings.
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.
Who can use Child Link
Only trained professionals responsible for child wellbeing and safety can view Child Link. This includes:
- maternal and child health nurses
- key early childhood staff
- school principals and other key school staff
- child protection workers.
All professionals must be authorised by their school, service or organisation before they can use Child Link. They must also complete training.
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.
To learn more about Child Link and how it supports the wellbeing and safety of children in Victoria, visit Child Link.
Resources
Download the Child Link flyer and factsheet below.
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