A new report sets out a framework to transform how local authorities in England use information about and from children, young people and families to improve lives.
Lots of information is collected about the children and families involved with Children's Services, but this information is not always used to best meet the needs and interests of children, young people and families.
Findings from the Children’s Information Project highlight the urgent need for ethical, equitable and voice-informed approaches to information use.
The five-year project aims to develop ethical, voice-respecting and publicly accountable ways of working with children’s information, and to support services to respond more effectively to children’s needs and improve their lives.
This includes building a field of practice where children’s voices, experiences and rights are fully respected and embedded in both everyday practice and strategic decision-making.
10 key findings from the report:
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Use of children’s information is central to national and local government’s ability to understand and address children’s needs.
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At present we cannot target children’s needs effectively in Early Years or Children’s Social Care because we have inadequate information on what these needs are. Information used strategically is dominated by narrow statutory categories and thresholds, process measures and performance management.
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Ethical and effective information use should be recognised and formalised in local authorities as a field of practice. It rests on core principles and approaches, and involves defined practices that extend beyond collation and analysis of data.
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Design of information systems could be driven more by children’s needs and priorities and whether these are met, as a more effective form of accountability.
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A huge amount of children’s information is held by local authorities and third sector organisations. Much of this information is rich and better reflects the voices and experiences of children and their families, as well as their needs, outcomes and contexts.
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When using information and designing information use systems, more should be done to amplify the voices of children, families and the practitioners that work directly with them. This includes integrating their voices within information and hearing their voices about how their information should be used.
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It is important to build capacity and capability at local level to analyse and act on local information and data, within and across sectors.
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There is much good, ethical and effective information use practice already. However, this should be better understood and mapped. Use of our framework will help to identify and share examples information use practice, so lessons can be learned.
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There is potential for digital technologies and AI to play a role in making better use of information about voice and needs. The framework can support activity to make this ethical and effective.
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The Children’s Information Project framework will require clear strategic ownership at local and national levels to drive it forward.
Over the coming year, the Children’s Information Project will develop tools and resources for national use, engage with government on the implications for national policy, and host a national conference for local authority practitioners.
Join the Children’s Information Project webinar
4 March, online
Explore the Children’s Information Project’s framework for ethical and effective information use and hear from organisations sharing practical examples and perspectives on how this can be achieved.
National call for evidence
The Children’s Information Project will be issuing a national call for evidence. Local authorities, practitioners, researchers, voluntary organisations and policy partners are invited to contribute examples, insights and practice innovations to help build a clearer national picture of strengths, gaps and innovations, ensuring future policy and practice are informed by the widest range of experience.
About the project
The Children’s Information Project is funded by the Nuffield Strategic Fund and hosted by the Rees Centre at the Department of Education, University of Oxford in partnership with the University of Sussex, the London School of Economics, four local authority partners and Research in Practice.
Children's Information Project
An innovative and collaborative project to improve the way that information about and from children, young people and families is used in local and national Government.
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