Information sharing and identifying the children of prisoners - challenges for local services

1. Information sharing and identifying the children of prisoners - challenges for local services Tim Carter Michael Wickens Owen Gill

2. Content - Owen • Introductions – Owen (chairing) • Why identification and information sharing is important - Michael • National developments and perspectives - Tim • Developing more formal and routine links between services at local level re needs of families affected by imprisonment (e.g. offender management services and children’s services). Examples of innovative practice– Michael and Tim • Some concerns, - what is permissible to share, what should be shared, what should not? – Group discussion • Differences in  professional cultures which might make sharing difficult e.g. different definitions of ‘risk’– Group Discussion • Developing SLAs and systems that support joined up working - Group Discussion

3. Why identification and information sharing is important - Michael

4. National picture - Tim 1. Identification • Different structural approaches: Prison and Probation versus Children’s Services (DfE) • Family concerns cutting across government departments • Exception of Safeguarding and Child Protection • Community Budget area pilots – Leicestershire, G. Manchester and Bradford

5. 2. Information Sharing -Tim • Probation guidance • Children's services guidance • Attempts to work with courts – PACT/ APF new poster campaign • It works where there is trust between partners, co-location of services and multi-disciplinary teams • The future is localism

6. Local response in Torbay - Michael

7. Engagement Early engagement with Torbay, Probation and other Statutory / Voluntary agencies, importance of sign up, budget, ECHO launch. • Successes Formation of multi agency steering group, Terms of Reference and Outcome measures, Inclusion in Children's Plan, Formation of Family Support Group, Awareness raising package in schools / Protocol. • Future Current FIP and IFSS set up, Troubled Families initiative, IOM in Torbay and assessment of families with complex needs looking at impact and support needs of those experiencing imprisonment / within the CJ.

8. Questions • Some concerns- e.g. what is permissible to share, what should be shared, what should not? • Differences in  professional cultures which might make sharing difficult e.g. different definitions of ‘risk’ • Developing SLAs and other systems that support joined up working