Child and family violence information sharing policy

Early Learning Victoria is committed to the wellbeing and safety of children, which includes working with other authorised organisations to protect each child. As an Information Sharing Entity (ISE), our centres are authorised to request and share relevant information with other ISEs, under the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS). We recognise the importance of proactively sharing information with other organisations to promote the safety and wellbeing of children.

1. Scope

This policy applies to children, families, staff and management of Early Learning Victoria centres. This includes volunteers, students on placement and contractors or labour hire employees of Early Learning Victoria.

2. Policy Statement

The purpose of this policy is to support Early Learning Victoria staff to understand the requirements to share information and respond to requests for information sharing under CISS and FVISS. This policy demonstrates Early Learning Victoria’s commitment to identifying, assessing and managing family violence risk and supporting families experiencing family violence in accordance with the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (the MARAM Framework).

2.1 Requirements

Early Learning Victoria is a prescribed Information Sharing Entity (ISE) and are authorised to request and share relevant information with other ISEs under the CISS and FVISS when the required thresholds are met. Early Learning Victoria is required to respond to requests from other ISEs within a timely manner. Both CISS and FVISS recognise the importance of seeking the views and promoting the agency of children and adults (who are not perpetrators of family violence) wherever appropriate, safe, and reasonable to do so (see Definitions).

Early Learning Victoria centres are authorised as MARAM organisations and are required to follow MARAM processes to identify and respond to family violence and share information to assess or manage family violence risk to a child.

Early Learning Victoria and its centres are prescribed in regulations as ISEs to request and share information under:

the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS)
the Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS).

Only Early Learning Victoria staff who have completed the Information or the MARAM Online Learning System can request and share information under CISS and FVISS.

CISS and FVISS complement existing obligations and frameworks and do not replace current authorisations (such as Child Safe Standards, Mandatory Reporting, Privacy or Criminal Law and Reportable Conduct) to share information (see Definitions).

2.2 Background and information

Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS)

CISS enables ISEs to request or share relevant information to promote the wellbeing or safety of a child or group of children. All Victorian children under 18 years of age are covered under CISS. Consent is not required by any person to request or share information under CISS.

CISS supports collaboration between services by working together to identify needs and risks, promote earlier and more effective supports and integrate service provision to improve outcomes for children and families.

Child Link

Child Link is a key enabler of CISS and is a digital tool that displays key information about a child. It is used by authorised professionals to help support a child’s wellbeing and safety. In Early Learning Victoria, this is for any child enrolled in a Victorian government-funded kindergarten program.

Early childhood services delivering Victorian government-funded kindergarten programs may have up to 3 VIT registered Early Childhood Teachers and a nominated supervisor as Child Link users.

Nominated supervisors are also authorisers and are trained to access Child Link as part of their onboarding requirements.

Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS)

FVISS enable ISEs to request or share relevant information to assess or manage risk of family violence. ISEs can also share information for the purposes of a family violence assessment with a subset of specialist ISEs known as Risk Assessment Entities (RAE).

These include (but are not limited to):

Child Protection
The Orange Door
Victims Support Agency
Victoria Police
State funded specialist family violence services

To share information, identify, assess and manage the risk of family violence to children and adults, while promoting children’s wellbeing and safety, CISS and FVISS should be used together in conjunction with the MARAM Framework.

The Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework (the MARAM Framework)

MARAM is the policy framework describing best practice for family violence risk assessment and management based on current evidence and research. The MARAM nominated staff member will assist to implement the information sharing and MARAM reforms at Early Learning Victoria centres, which is outlined further below.

The MARAM framework is embedded in law and establishes the foundations for a consistent statewide approach and shared responsibility for identifying and responding to family violence. The MARAM Framework guides professionals across the service system, including those from early childhood education and care services, to better understand their responsibilities to identify, assess and manage family violence risk. Under the MARAM Framework, centres have six responsibilities relating to ‘identification and screening’.

For further detailed information about the MARAM Framework and how it applies to all sectors, see Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Framework.

3. Actions and procedures

Consent and seeking views when sharing information

Information can only be shared under CISS and FVISS by professionals at authorised organisations. ISEs include particular services that work with children, young people, and families. Information can be shared for all Victorian children and young people from 0-18 years of age where the requirements for sharing under CISS and/or FVISS have been met.

Under CISS, educators who have completed CISS training can share any person’s information without their consent to promote the wellbeing or safety of a child or group of children. FVISS covers victim survivors of all ages. Consent is not required from any person to share information relevant to assessing or managing family violence risk to a child, young person or adult victim survivor.

Even when consent is not required, those staff should seek and take into account the views of the child and/or any relevant family members (who do not pose a risk) before sharing
information under CISS or FVISS, if it is safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so. This is a
key principle of CISS and FVISS.

Sharing under CISS educators:

can share any person’s information without their consent to promote the wellbeing or safety of a child or group of children
should seek the views and wishes of the child and/or family members before sharing their information where it is safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so
should wherever possible, inform the child and family that their information has been shared.

Sharing under FVISS educators:

can share any person’s information without their consent to promote the wellbeing or safety of a child or group of children
should seek the views of the adult victim survivor before sharing their information where it is safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so
should wherever possible, inform the adult victim survivor that their information has been shared
must ensure that information is not shared with the perpetrator of family violence.

Considerations when sharing information about at risk or diverse communities

When sharing information to promote child wellbeing and safety, staff should:

work in line with Early Learning Victoria’s Anti-bias approach policy
consider the child’s best interests
promote the immediate and ongoing safety of all family members at risk of family violence in line with the MARAM Framework, noting safety includes responding to needs and circumstances that promote stabilisation and recovery from family violence
engage specialist services as required, and promote collaborative practice around children and families
give precedence to the wellbeing and safety of a child or group of children over the right to privacy
preserve and promote positive relationships between a child and the child’s family members and persons of significance to the child
be respectful of and have regard to a child’s social, individual and cultural identity, the child’s strengths and abilities and any vulnerability relevant to the child’s safety or wellbeing
promote the cultural safety and recognise the cultural rights and familial and community connections of children who are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or both
seek to maintain constructive and respectful engagement with children and their families.

Record keeping, data and security

Users must follow all data security and record management requirements that apply to Early Learning Victoria centres in line with the Records management policy and the Privacy policy. Appropriate records relating to referrals, information sharing and coordinated risk management should be kept. This may include:

the services that are being collaborated with
information shared and received from other services
records views to information sharing and consent for referrals
actions required of the service (for example, using the screening tool and basic safety plan)
the child and family being informed of any updates.

Due to the nature of family violence records, centres must ensure that the records are kept securely. For example, if they have a hard copy file, they should make sure it is kept in a locked cabinet. If they have an electronic record, they need to make sure it is password protected and only staff members who need the information have access. Only centre leaders and nominated staff who have completed the relevant training should have access to completed Family violence screening tools and Basic safety plans. Centres should ensure that these records are not destroyed as they may be needed at a later time (e.g. as evidence in future court proceedings).

Safeguarding

A range of safeguards and protections exist to ensure that professionals can safely, confidently and appropriately share information. Offences and penalties may apply where information is shared unlawfully under CISS or FVISS. CISS and FVISS include offences for unauthorised and intentional or reckless use or disclosure of confidential information, and falsely claiming to be an ISE, or an authorised representative of an ISE, or knowingly allowing someone else to believe that you are.

When centre staff with authorisation to share information under CISS or FVISS, act in good faith and with reasonable care when sharing information, they will:

not be held liable for any criminal, civil or disciplinary action for providing the information
not be in breach of any code of professional ethics or considered to have departed from any accepted standards of professional conduct.

Complaints

If another ISE or a family is concerned that:

information might have been shared in a way that is not permitted
an ISE refused to share relevant information that should have been shared
the timeline of responses was not satisfactory.

The ISE or family have the right to provide feedback and make a complaint. In the first instance, the complaint about how the centre in applying the schemes should be made to Early Learning Victoria by following the Feedback and complaints policy.

If the ISE or family is not satisfied that the matter has been resolved within Early Learning Victoria, a complaint may be made to:

The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner if the complaint is about personal information
Website: http://www.ovic.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 666 444
The Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) if the complaint is regarding health information
Website: https://hcc.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 582 113

Retaining Records

Centres are responsible for ensuring that the following information must be recorded if a complaint is received under the Schemes and in line with the Handling complaints and feedback policy:

date the complaint was made and received
nature of the complaint
action taken to resolve the complaint
action taken to lessen or prevent the issue from recurring
time take to resolve the complaint
if the complaint was not resolved, further action that was taken
3.1 Responsibilities of staff

Educators are responsible for:
- reading and adhering to this policy and the Child and family violence information sharing procedure
- giving precedence to the wellbeing and safety of a child or group of children over the right to privacy
- contributing to a culture that supports information sharing and ongoing collaboration within and outside the centre
- preserving and promoting positive relationships between a child and a child’s family members and persons of significance to the child
- being respectful of and having regard for a child’s social, individual, and cultural identify, the child’s strengths and abilities and any vulnerability relevant to the child’s safety or wellbeing
- promoting the cultural safety and recognise the cultural rights and familial and community connects of children who are Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or both
- working collaboratively with Aboriginal people and communities, including using a strengths-based approach that respects and values the collective strengths of Aboriginal knowledge, systems and expertise, and being cognisant of definitions of family violence in the context of Aboriginal communities
- identifying and responding to family violence and engaging respectfully, sensitively and safely with people who may be experiencing family violence
- engaging specialist services as required and promoting collaborative practice around children and families
- following the Child safety and wellbeing policy and the Protecting children policy
- promoting and protecting children’s wellbeing and safety and implementing the 11 Child Safe Standards.
Educators authorised to request and share information are responsible for:
- completing training for CISS, FVISS and the MARAM Framework
- discussing all potential opportunities for information sharing under CISS or FVISS with the nominated supervisor, to ensure it meets the threshold and adheres to the Child and family violence information sharing procedure
- considering the views of the child and/or relevant family members (who do not pose a risk) before sharing information under CISS or FVISS when it is safe, reasonable and appropriate to do so
- being aware that consent is not required when sharing information to support the wellbeing and safety of a child or to assess and manage family violence risk to a child.
The nominated supervisor is responsible for:
- reading and adhering to this policy and the Child and family violence information sharing procedure
- being the MARAM Framework nominated staff member or/and nominating another suitable MARAM nominated staff member
- completing professional learning on the Information Sharing Schemes and MARAM Framework
- ensuring all staff complete available professional learning on the Information Sharing Schemes and the MARAM Framework (as required)
- encouraging educators to discuss all potential opportunities for information sharing under CISS or FVISS with the nominated supervisor, to ensure it meets the threshold and adheres to the Child and family violence information sharing procedure
- ensuring all staff understand that the PROTECT Four Critical Actions and mandatory reporting still apply when family violence is identified
- ensuring record keeping systems meet record keeping requirements, including securely keeping records relating to family violence referrals, information sharing and coordinated risk management
- supporting all staff to identify and respond to family violence and ensuring that there are educators who act as MARAM leaders within the centre
- evaluating and monitoring the ongoing implementation of the reforms (within QIP)
meeting record keeping obligations under the FVISS and CISS when sharing information with any other ISE or Risk Assessment Entity (RAE).
The approved provider is responsible for:
- working with the Department of Education’s Child Safety Division to identify appropriate staff to request and share information on behalf of Early Learning Victoria centres
- establishing procedures for responding and managing information sharing requests made under CISS or FVISS. Please see the Child and family violence information sharing procedure
- regularly reviewing policies and procedures
- providing additional training and support as required so that staff can better understand and manage information under the Information Sharing Schemes
- establishing procedures for responding to complaints made under the Information Sharing Schemes
- updating staff onboarding processes to ensure relevant staff are aware of their responsibilities and trained, as required
- providing access to family violence leave (up to 20 days paid leave within a 12-month period for employees affected by family violence)
- providing access to the Employee Wellbeing Support Services – a dedicated specialist helpline available for staff who are experiencing family violence on 1300 338 465.
A MARAM nominated staff member will be the nominated supervisor or selected by the nominated supervisor. MARAM nominated staff will have qualifications, training and experience or a role aligned with wellbeing, such as wellbeing coordinators or leadership staff. The MARAM nominated staff member will assist to implement the information sharing and MARAM reforms at Early Learning Victoria centres.
The MARAM nominated staff member is responsible for:
- familiarising themselves with the MARAM practice responsibilities for professionals and their obligation to adhere to the 10 responsibilities within this
- screening for family violence and making basic safety plans to support children experiencing wellbeing or safety issues, including by making referrals and using FVISS and CISS to share information
- attending MARAM training and adhering to all learnings within the training
- making and responding to FVISS and CISS requests
- making referrals to specialist services and collaborating to provide ongoing support to the child or their family, including making referrals to Aboriginal community-controlled organisations for Aboriginal children/adults wherever possible
- working with other staff who suspect a child is experiencing family violence, or who have received a disclosure from a child
- following the instructions in the Family Violence Identification Tool to respond to family violence in accordance with the Four Critical Actions (see Links)
- monitoring if risk changes or escalates, requiring further support, including recording new or updated information about family violence risk in the Family Violence Identification Tool.

4. Resources

Support for families experiencing family violence

Early Learning Victoria staff may find the following external resources helpful to support families experiencing family violence:

Safe Steps is a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week state-wide family violence crisis support service for women and children that includes accommodation (refuge) options and information in 10 languages.
- Phone: 1800 015 188
- Email: safesteps@safesteps.org.au
- live web chat (available Monday to Friday 9am to midnight)
1800RESPECT is a national service available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing counselling advice and support for people experiencing family violence. The service is also available to those providing support to people experiencing family violence, including family, friends and professionals. Resources are available in 29 languages.
- Phone: 1800 737 732
- text, online chat or video call services
Sexual Assault Services Victoria (SASVic) is the peak body for sexual assault and harmful sexual behaviour services in Victoria. SASVic works to promote rights, recovery and respect for victim survivors and other people impacted by sexual violence and harm. Early Learning Victoria centre staff can find specialist services in their local area that support victim survivors of sexual assault and their family members by providing free and confidential crisis support services.
Sexual Assault Crisis Line provides a state-wide, after-hours, confidential, phone crisis counselling service for people who have experienced past and recent sexual assault.
- Phone 1800 806 292
InTouch provides state-wide family violence support for migrant and refugee communities. They can provide information and referral options over the phone including culturally informed case management, perpetrator programs, migration assistance and crisis recovery.
- Phone: 1800 755 988
Djirra is an Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service supporting Aboriginal people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence (women and men). Djirra also assists non-Aboriginal people experiencing family violence who are parents of Aboriginal children.
- Phone: 1800 105 303
- Email: info.afvls@djirra.org.au
No to Violence is a state-wide phone service providing support and information for men who are concerned about their own or someone else’s behaviour or have used violence and are looking to change their behaviour.
- Phone: 1300 766 491

Legislation and standards

Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005
Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
Child Wellbeing and Safety (Information Sharing) Regulations 2018
Family Violence Protection Act 2008
Family Violence Protection (Information Sharing and Risk Management) Regulations 2018
Child Safe Standards
Children, Youth, Families Act 2005
Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
Education and Care National Law Act 2010
Education and Care National Regulations 2011
Health Records Act 2001
Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014
Working With Children Act 2005
Working With Children Regulations 2016.

Protecting children policy
Child safety and wellbeing policy
Child and family violence information sharing procedure
Handling complaints and feedback policy
Enrolment and orientation policy
Positive relationships, interactions and behaviour support policy
Privacy policy
Records management policy.

Definitions

Aboriginal definition of family violence: The Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Task Force defined family violence in the context of Aboriginal communities as ‘an issue focused around a wide range of physical, emotional, sexual, social, spiritual, cultural, psychological and economic abuses that occur within families, intimate relationships, extended families, kinship networks and communities. It extends to one-on-one fighting, abuse of Indigenous community workers as well as self-harm, injury and suicide.’ The definition also acknowledges the spiritual and cultural perpetration of violence by non-Aboriginal people against Aboriginal partners which manifests as exclusion or isolation from Aboriginal culture and/or community.

Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS): The Child Information Sharing Scheme permits the requesting and disclosure of confidential information between prescribed organisations for the purpose of promoting the wellbeing or safety of a child or group of children.

Child Safe Standards: The Child Safe Standards are compulsory minimum standards for all organisations that provide services to children. Their aim is to ensure organisations are well prepared to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Duty of care: A legal concept that refers to the responsibility of all staff members within any Victorian early childhood service to take reasonable steps to protect children in their care from harm that is foreseeable.

Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS): Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme authorises a select group of prescribed Information Sharing Entities to share information with one another for family violence risk assessment and risk management.

Family violence: The Family Violence Protection Act 2008 defines family violence as behaviour towards a family member where the behaviour:

is physically or sexually abusive
is emotionally or psychologically abusive
is economically abusive
is threatening or coercive

in any other way controls or dominates the family member and causes that family member to feel fear for the safety or wellbeing of that family member or another person.

Information Sharing Entity (ISE): A person or body prescribed, or a class of person or body prescribed to be an Information Sharing Entity under the Child Information Sharing Scheme or Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme.

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Management and Management Framework (MARAM): The Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework is designed to guide services in assessing and managing the risk of family violence.

Mandatory reporting: The legal obligation of certain professionals and community members to report when they believe, on reasonable grounds, that a child needs protection from harm.

A broad range of professional groups are identified in the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 as ‘mandatory reporters’. From 30 September 2015, this list includes VIT-registered early childhood teachers. Mandated reporters must make a report to Victoria Police and/or Child Protection as soon as is practicable if, during acting out their professional roles and responsibilities, they form a belief on reasonable grounds (explained later in this definitions list) that:

a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm because of physical and/or sexual abuse
the child’s parents/guardians have not protected, or are unlikely to protect, the child from harm of that type.

5. Authorisations and review

This policy is the responsibility of Early Learning Victoria. Contact: ELV@education.vic.gov.au

It was approved by the CEO, Early Learning Victoria on 26 May 2026.

Early Learning Victoria regularly reviews its policies and procedures. This policy is due for review on 26 May 2028 unless changes in legislation or Department of Education policy require it to be reviewed sooner.

Reviewed by Director, Strategy and Planning ELV, Director, Early Learning ELV and Director, Quality ELV.

Education & training

Updated 19 June 2026