An integrated planning process requires the agencies involved to share relevant information about the child and family. This is done by the sharing of the individual assessments which have been undertaken, and the signing up to a joint plan. The process is supported by a computerised database which can be accessed by everyone working with the child.

The database holds the following types of information:

• basic details about the child and family
• copies of the individual assessment reports made by the different professional staff
• copies of the joint agency care plan and subsequent reviews
• more specific details about how the child's needs have been classified
• who is registered as a parent carer
• details about whether the child has a statement of special educational needs.

Consent to the sharing of information

We believe that it is essential for us to share this type of information if we are to offer a joined up service. However parents may decide they do not want all or some of this information to be shared by the different agencies or to be put onto a computer system. Parents will be asked for their consent. Should they decide to withhold their consent, it will not be possible to provide an integrated assessment and planning process and they will link with each agency separately.