The Information Sharing Schemes have been introduced in response to Royal Commissions, coronial inquests and independent inquiries over the past decade that identified poor information sharing as a barrier to service collaboration with detrimental outcomes for children and families.
The Information Sharing Schemes enable schools and other prescribed Information Sharing Entities (ISE) to access and share relevant information to promote the wellbeing and safety of children, and to assess and manage family violence risk.
Phase One of implementation of the Schemes commenced in September 2018 and included key tertiary and frontline services, such as Child Protection, Maternal and Child Health Services and Victoria Police.
From 19 April 2021, as part of Phase Two, universal services such as education and health will be authorised to share information using the Schemes.