1. Inter-Agency Child Protection
Information Management System
(IA CP IMS)
January 2012
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2. Goal and Objectives Goal:
To have an integrated inter-agency child protection information management system that facilitates case management and data analysis of children with specific vulnerabilities.
Objectives:
Promote compatibility across child protection programs and agencies in managing information on children
Improve timeliness of response (assessing, addressing and making referrals) to vulnerable children
Invest in one standard tool used by multiple child protection actors, in multiple countries.
Facilitate the effective and safe use of information to measure, advocate for and monitor children’s protection on a larger scale.
Promote compatibility across child protection programs and agencies, enabling more coherent and efficient case management along the continuum of care for children and sustainability of impact
Allow multiple agencies to assess, address and refer children in a timely, complimentary and efficient fashion, particularly in regional and cross-border child protection programs
Invest in one standard tool used by multiple child protection actors, in multiple countries, thereby streamlining resources for development, support and training.
Facilitate the effective and safe use of information to measure, advocate for and monitor children’s protection on a larger scale.

3. What constitutes the IA CP IMS?
3 central components
**the standard set of forms is mentioned first. It is important to bring up here that an IMS does not necessarilty have to include a database. Information can still be managed in a systematic way with only paper forms. The database merely organizes the information in a systematic way
WHY USE A DATABASE in a CPiE situation?
If the case load is expected to be lower than in total, or lower than in each local field office and does not need to be centralised, then a paper filing system can be considered. If they case load is expected to be over and above children, and/or if population movement is continuing to occur, (necessitating the exchange of data by multiple agencies working in different locations) a database may be a more appropriate individual case management and monitoring tool
1) a set of standard paper forms that can be adapted and used in the day-to-day management of children’s cases; (2) an electronic database in which children’s information is recorded; and (3) confidentiality protocols for information sharing and data protection
We have guiding documents on the first three (and are working on guiding documents for information sharing protocols—we have examples from other countries that we can share).
standard set of forms
Data Protection and
Information Sharing
protocols
Database

4. Who populates the data Each country/agency
Is responsible for collecting, entering and managing their CP IMS.
Has administrative rights to customize the forms and database to the needs of the program.
Encrypted/partial data can be shared across agencies for transfers, referrals or reporting

5. Case Management
Stores detailed information on children in separate “case files” that can be adjusted and edited as the child’s case progresses over time.
Organizes children’s information in a coherent and accessible way. Reminds case workers of tasks that are due or over-due for each child, ensuring timely management and follow-up.
Indicates the status / progress of each child’s case, allowing case workers to quickly identify children who continue to remain vulnerable, allowing case managers to prioritize actions related to follow-up and referral of children.
Allows social workers to transfer out electronic case files to other organizations (as needed) and to receive electronic case files from organizations (as needed)
Stores entered information on children in separate “case files” that can be adjusted and edited, as the child’s case progresses over time.
Organizes children’s information in a coherent and accessible system. Similarly, organizes social workers caseloads.
Reminds case workers of tasks that are due or over-due for each child in his/her case load, thereby ensuring timely management and follow-up of cases.
Indicates the status / progress of each child’s case, allowing case workers to quickly identify children who continue to remain vulnerable, allowing case managers to prioritize actions related to follow-up and referral for children.

6. Family Tracing and Reunification
Records children who are unaccompanied or separated in emergency settings in a systematic way
Records children who are reported missing by their parents or other adult (caregiver) in a systematic way.
Facilitates instantaneous matching of records between like databases and allows for identification of missing/separated children
Informs child protection workers of children’s cases pending successful family tracing and reunification
Records children who are unaccompanied or separated in emergency settings in a systematic way
Records children who are reported missing by their parents or other adult (caregiver) in a systematic way.
Facilitates instantaneous matching of records (based on similarity of entered fields) and identification of “lost” or relocated parties
Informs child protection workers of children’s cases that continue to await successful tracing and reunification.

7. Customization
Allows database administrators complete flexibility, discretion and autonomy to design the database to meet the needs of their specific program (without having to adhere to a prescribed set of data points that may be inadequate or inappropriate for the context in which the IMS is being used). Can add, delete or edit any of the following:
Forms to be included in case load files
Questions to be included on the form (including type of response requested; order of questions; whether a question is mandatory or not, etc)
Language used by database operators (English and French – in 2011/12 Spanish and Arabic versions will also be available)
Allows users to use the tool in emergency contexts, development contexts or both (across the continuum of care)
Facilitates collaboration among partner agencies using the database in a country (or region) in that it reflects the data agreed upon by all participants, rather than reflecting only information from a template or single agency form (which may not be adequate or appropriate for other agencies).
(without having to adhere to a prescribed set of data points that may be inadequate or inappropriate for the context in which the IMS is being used). Can add, delete or edit any of the following:
Forms to be included in case load files
Questions to be included on the form (including type of response requested; order of questions; whether a question is mandatory or not, etc)
Language used by database operators (English and French)

8. Data Protection and Security
Allows for different levels of user permission / access to information stored within the database, as well as the ability to alter the database backend, share case file information and run reports.
Gives a different password to each user, who has distinct user rights, as determined by the database administrator.
Encrypts each child record to allow for the electronic transfer of files from one database to another.
Stores data protection requirements specific to each child (based upon informed consent) and is associated with his/her file within the database
Provides safeguard measures (flags /warnings) when user attempts to export/transfer information which should remain confidential (according to specific data protection requirements of each child).
Allows for different levels of user permission / access to information stored within the database, as well as the ability to alter the database backend, share case file information, and to run reports.
Gives a distinct password to each user, who has distinct user rights, as determined by the database administrator.
Encrypts each child record to allow for the secure electronic transfer of files from one database to another.
Stores data protection requirements specific to each child (based upon informed consent) and isassociate with his/her file within the database
Provides safeguard measures (flags /warnings) when user attempts to export/transfer information that has been

9. Data Analysis
Analyzes trends in data over time to inform program design, strategy and resource allocation
Generates reports in graph and table format which are automatically updated as data is entered into the database
Generates lists with partial or all the information to promote a more coordinated response
Can extract reports into excel format for ease of sharing with partners who may not have CPD system

10. CP IMS in use Case studies: Sri Lanka Ethiopia
Data analysis used to review program design and advocate for release of children
Ethiopia
Registered child information used to protect child against child marriage

11. New Features New features developed in 2011 include:
List of overdue tasks
Customizable phonetic search for children in database to reduce double counting
Customize time scale targets for each individual child
Synchronization between different languages
Encrypt sensitive information when exporting

12. Future Activities TOT training Compatibility with other IMSs
Excel
GBVIMS
ProGres4
MRM
RapidFTR
Move to web-based system
Viewing restrictions on case files

13. Training on IA CP IMS Focus on: Role of lead agency Coordination
Purpose of CP IMS for CP program
How to use CP IMS
Collecting data
Data analysis
Database and customization is the last part of the training
CP as well as database staff at training

14. Training Outline Background of the IA CP IMS
Determining whether CP IMS is necessary
Setting up a CP IMS
Coordination
Case Management customization
Using the database
Ethical guidelines – confidentiality and BIC

15. Any Questions?