Professionals’ perceptions of a multi-agency computerised data sharing system

Abstract

We examined the perceptions of multi-agency child abuse investigation professionals following the implementation of an independent computerised data linkage system for case tracking purposes. Semi-structured interviews (N = 30) were conducted with child protection workers and police officers, from both frontline and managerial roles, to explore their experiences in adapting to the new technology. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed using thematic analysis, focusing on the semantic meaning of the data. Four multifaceted themes were generated, of which three (understanding the rationale for change; system implementation and its limitations; and the role of technology within the organisational structure) showed strong divergence between frontline workers and management. While executives highlighted the benefits of the new system, frontline workers (overall) held a negative view about the system’s usefulness and impact on workload. The implications of the findings are discussed.

Key words:

• case tracking
• child abuse investigation
• data linkage
• inter-agency collaboration

Acknowledgments

Thanks to the organisations who gave their time to conduct the interviews.

Ethical standards

Declaration of conflicts of interest

Martine B. Powell has declared no conflicts of interest.

Sharon Casey has declared no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.