Information Sharing Reforms From 27 September 2018, organisations prescribed in Phase One of the Child Information Sharing Scheme and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme have been permitted to share information to promote the wellbeing of children and to identify and manage family violence risk and to respond to requests made under these schemes by other prescribed organisations. The MARAM was also introduced and required organisations to commence the process of alignment as part of a maturity model approach. Prescribed organisations can clarify ISE status by contacting DHHS directly on 1300 090 979 to ensure that information is shared appropriately. To support the conclusion of the face-to-face training, a range of integrated resources are now available to assist organisations to understand their obligations and ensure that their policies and procedures are updated to reflect their new responsibilities. You can view them at https://www.vic.gov.au/infosharing.html These resources now include online eLearning modules (1, 2, 3, 3a, 4, & 4a) and can also be accessed via the Learning Management System on the above website. A range of other resources such as templates, scenarios and ‘frequently asked questions’ are also available and are being updated regularly. In-depth MARAM training will be available in early 2019. In the interim, professionals are encouraged to continue to develop their family violence risk assessment capabilities through existing CRAF training available at The Lookout. MARAM training will include modules: Organisational Leaders, Comprehensive (1 & 2 day), Brief and Intermediate. For further information, please email infosharing@familysafety.vic.gov.au About the Information Sharing Reforms Child Information Sharing Scheme (CIS) The CIS Scheme was developed in response to numerous independent reviews and child death inquiries over the past decade, including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. These reviews and inquiries recommended reform to Victoria’s information sharing arrangements to improve wellbeing and safety outcomes for children, by addressing a risk-averse culture to sharing information. The new CIS Scheme began on 27 September 2018 to allow information sharing between authorised and trained organisations and professionals specifically to promote children’s wellbeing and safety. All Victorian children and young people from 0 to under 18 years of age are covered by the new Scheme. Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVIS) and MARAM The Royal Commission into Family Violence identified that organisations working with victims and perpetrators of family violence collect a wide variety of information. It also identified barriers that prevent information from being shared as effectively as it could be. The Commission found that the failure to share crucial information can have serious consequences for victims of family violence. The Commission (and review of the Common Risk Assessment Framework – CRAF) also recognised the need to set out standards, roles and responsibilities, and include assessment tools and practice guidance for family violence identification, risk assessment and risk management. The FVIS Scheme was introduced in February 2018 to enable information sharing between authorised and trained organisations and professionals specifically to assess and manage family violence risk to children and adults. The MARAM Framework was redeveloped in line with recommendation one of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The Framework will support professionals in their roles and responsibilities to assess and manage family violence risk to better protect victims and hold perpetrators to account and will be rolled out as part of an integrated reform package on 27 September. Together, the CIS Scheme and the FVIS Scheme will enable professionals from health, human services, justice, police, the courts and education to share information to promote children’s wellbeing and safety and better protect all Victorian children. From 3 September 2018, training and other resources are provided by government departments working together to align implementation of the three reforms. Organisations are expected to follow a ‘maturity model’ to adapt their policies and procedures to make these changes. The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare has been involved in a number of key reform activities relating to information sharing and the current reforms. The Centre has played a critical intermediary role, consulting with the sector and providing feedback to the Training and Practice Advisory Group (TPAG) members whose responsibility it was to design and develop the training materials. Read our sector update from our Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) sector forum here. To help further understand the reforms, government agencies have provided the following slides: Further information on the schemes can be found at: CISS Website: www.vic.gov.au/childsharing Email DHHS: childinforsharing@dhhs.vic.gov.au DET: childinfosharing@edumail.vic.gov.au FVISS & MARAM Website: https://www.vic.gov.au/familyviolence/family-safety-victoria/information-sharing-and-risk-management.html Email: infosharing@familysafety.vic.gov.au
