More social services involvement sought

Anticipated guidance on information-sharing could improve the
involvement of social services in antisocial behaviour strategies,
according to a government report published last week.

In its response to the home affairs select committee’s recent
inquiry on antisocial behaviour, the government stated it was
disappointed that agencies including youth services and some
children’s organisations were “not fully committed” to anti-social
behaviour strategies.

But the report acknowledges the law on sharing information could
provide a barrier to their involvement, and points to guidance on
implementing information sharing databases, as ordained by the
Children Act 2004, expected this December.

However, last month Community Care revealed that three of the 11
information-sharing and assessment trailblazers were yet to go
live, calling into question the government’s timetable.

• The government report is available from
  www.homeoffice.gov.uk