Information Sharing and Assessment (ISA)
Services across education, health and social care are working more closely together so that children and families receive a better and more coordinated service.
The ISA project
ISA improves communication between practitioners who work with children and young people in health, education and social care. Services across these areas are working more closely together so that children and families receive a better and more coordinated service.
The aims of the ISA project are to:
- help services for children identify whether your child needs help
- encourage professionals to provide choices about the help that is available for your child
- make sure that professionals understand the rules about sharing information about your child.
The Common Assessment Framework
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a shared assessment tool. It allows practitioners to assess the needs of children and families at an earlier stage. Practitioners can then work in partnership with families, alongside other practitioners and agencies to meet those needs. It also prevents the need for children and families to tell and re-tell their stories.
The Children Index – how information is shared between practitioners
A practitioner is anyone who works with children and young people, for example a social worker, GP or some teachers.
To enable practitioners to share information and assess what care your child is receiving, a directory called the Children Index has been set up. The index is only accessible to authorised practitioners.
As a parent or carer, you have the right to see information held in the Children Index about your child. You make these requests in writing using the Data Protection Subject Access Request Form.
Who to contact
For more about ISA, CAF and the Children Index contact the ISA Team.
Many support services across health and children's services are listed in the East Sussex Community Information Service (ESCIS).
Information for practitioners
All information for practitioners on ISA and CAF is on Czone, the website for people working in Children's Services in East Sussex.
