In July 2005, a protocol for the investigation of complaints about independent sector providers of care services within the unitary authority boundary of Bath and North East Somerset was ratified and introduced.

The signatories to that protocol were: Bath & North East Somerset Council Social and Housing Services (referred to as B&NES Council), the Commission for Social Care Inspection Avon office (referred to as CSCI) and Bath & North East Somerset Primary Care Trust (referred to as B&NES PCT).  This protocol is on the Bath & North East Somerset Council website on the Independent Provider Forum page.

That protocol made reference to the wider issue of the sharing of information about registered care services.  There has been a lack of clarity between the above public bodies and providers, and amongst these public bodies themselves, about what information can and should be shared between them and how such information is to be shared.  This document seeks to address and resolve these issues.

Sharing Information Protocol 

The protocol contains the following information:

1. BACKGROUND   

2. THE INTERAGENCY PROTOCOL

2.1    Scope and context
2.2    Objectives
2.3    Legal background
2.4    Other responsibilities of the signatory organisations
2.5    Routine information sharing
2.6    Procedures for ad hoc disclosure
2.7    Security
2.8    Administration
2.9    Complaints
2.10  Review of this protocol
2.11  Signatures

3. THE SCOPE OF INFORMATION TO BE ROUTINELY SHARED   

3.1 By CSCI
3.2 By B&NES Social & Housing Services
3.3 By B&NES Primary Care Trust

APPENDIX A:                                                                     

Provisions within the Care Standards Act 2000 relating to the disclosure of information by or about registered providers of care services.

APPENDIX B

Data Protection Act 1998      :       8 Principles