The Children’s Information Project (CIP) has spent four years undertaking rich research into local authorities’ use of information about children, young people and families (generically referred to as ‘children’s information’). In our report (insert link), we have developed a definition of ethical and effective information use in the context of children’s information and a Framework setting out component Approaches, Practices and System Enablers. These have been developed together with and informed by partner local authorities and a wider Learning Network.
The Framework will help local authorities, government and others working with children to clarify and sharpen their information use. Information has perhaps always been at the heart of social, cultural and economic exchange. However, this has never been more apparent than during the emergence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), when corporations and government agencies are not only using huge amounts of personal information but also developing and investing in technologies to act upon, learn from or monetise that information.
The CIP started from two core principles. Firstly, the use of children’s information must be effective to meet needs, achieve outcomes, fulfil duties and justify costs. Secondly, it must be ethical – proportionate, equitable, transparent, and respectful of personal and democratic rights. These two principles intersect: ethical practice is more likely to secure trust and engagement, which are the prerequisites for effective change.
Our work has focused on local authority uses of children’s information in the fields of Children’s Social Care and Early Years policy and practice. We have aimed to support authorities that are seeking to use information both ethically and effectively in the delivery of their duties.
Understanding information use is obviously vital for anyone in the business of doing it, but the field of practice is surprisingly ill-defined. Our aim in this work has been to identify and define ethical and effective information use, and, through working with four partner local authorities and collaborating with a wider Learning Network, to develop and test a core set of Approaches and Practices that are essential to the realisation of ethical and effective information use.
This report presents our progress in developing a Framework of Approaches. It also discusses and illustrates our work to date on eight underpinning Practices.
Download our full report. (Available soon)
