Several recent reports have highlighted the need for better systems to share information (eg the Child Protection Audit and Review and the Victoria Climbie Inquiry) and this forms part of the action points to emerge from For Scotland's Children.
Scottish Executive Ministers and officials are working with our partners in local government, the voluntary sector and health to work through the issues that prevent or currently prohibit information sharing where it is relevant and appropriate. The Executive has funded some projects in Aberdeen and Glasgow to develop some models of how this could work in practice.
Work is also underway with the Department of Constitutional Affairs to consider the implications of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Children are assessed in a variety of ways and the information is recorded in a number of places. We know that for a number of children the interventions are not adequately child centred and do not provide appropriate support for the child and his/her family. We also know that, for a few, services fail.
Scottish Ministers and officials are working towards a more integrated approach to assessment both in terms of the quality of the process and the outcomes which can better inform the services that are provided to the child.