Information sharing readiness checklist

Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS)

Child Information Sharing Scheme Ministerial Guidelines: Guidance for information sharing entities

Child Information Sharing Scheme webpage

Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS)

Family Violence Information Sharing Guidelines: Guidance for information sharing entities:

Summary of the Family Violence Information Sharing Guidelines:

A guide for approved organisations on how to share information:

Overview of the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme:

Information sharing process checklist when making a request:

• Review the checklist for making a request

Information sharing process checklist when responding to a request:

• Review the checklist for responding to a request

Information sharing consent form (for adult victim survivors only):

Tips for conversations with adult victim survivors about consenting to information sharing and tips for a conversation with a child victim survivor or parent who is not a perpetrator: 

• How to inform your clients

Your information and your safety factsheet:

Example record keeping form:

Integrated resources

The majority of organisations and services will be prescribed under all three reforms. Integrated resources currently include:

• Tips for information sharing record keeping

Tips for a conversation with a child and/or parent (who is not a perpetrator of family violence) about information sharing:

Organisational leaders:

• must understand the Information Sharing Schemes.
• will need to identify which staff should be authorised to share information in relation to family violence risk assessment and management, and promoting children’s wellbeing and safety, based on their functions and role in the organisation[1].
• should communicate to staff about their obligations under the Information Sharing Schemes and ensure they have read the associated policy and practice documents.
• provide opportunities for identified staff to undertake the appropriate training. Visit our training page for more information.

[1] For example, a Maternal and Child Health Nurse in an Information Sharing Entity would be authorised to share information on behalf of the organisation and should attend training modules for both Information Sharing Schemes.

Identify and update organisational policies, procedures, guidelines, processes and forms as necessary to reflect the Information Sharing reforms. Develop new materials as appropriate. 

Information sharing 

• Existing referral pathways
• Workplace support policies and procedures  
• Clinical supervision templates

Update collection, use and disclosure of information

• Local-area Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
• Consent and release of information forms
• Client intake and assessment processes and relevant forms
• Privacy and confidentiality policies and procedures

You may need to include or update

• The purposes for which you collect, hold, use, share and disclose confidential information.
• How children, young people and other family members will be notified about how their information may be used (and shared).
• If working directly with perpetrators, how you will communicate the change to the laws about consent not required to share information. Descriptions on:
  • what type(s) of information will be collected
  • when information will and will not be shared
  • how to record information received under the Information Sharing Schemes
  • how to identify and manage a conflict of interest
• How an individual may access and/or correct their personal information.
• How your organisation will securely store and dispose of information in accordance with legal requirements.
• How you will respond to breaches of privacy.
• Complaints policies to ensure they address the Information Sharing Schemes including:
  • how an individual may make a complaint if they believe their privacy has been breached 
  • timelines for managing complaints 
  • details about documenting complaints and resolution processes

Update record keeping obligations in line with the Regulations

• manuals  
• training manuals
• existing record keeping systems or processes

Information sharing 

• Identify staff to undertake organisational policy and leadership (leaders) training.
• Identify staff to undertake information sharing (professionals) training.
• Ensure priority staff complete online training. Visit our training page to find out what's available.

• Identify or establish governance structures within your organisation to oversee these reforms.
• Identify existing partnerships and networks across your local area to promote collaboration.
• Identify opportunities for new partnerships with other ISEs in your local area.

Visit

www.infosharing.vic.gov.au

Email

• Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme and MARAM: infosharing@familysafety.vic.gov.au
• Child Information Sharing Scheme: CISandFVIS@education.vic.gov.au