In early 2002, Birmingham City Pride (an independent body acting as “critical friend” to Birmingham City Council on strategic issues) commissioned, on behalf of the local Health Authorities / Trusts and Birmingham City Council, a feasibility study on developing integrated information systems for children.

The subsequent report from the Millar Hutchison group, entitled `Integrated Information for Birmingham’s Children’, was completed in April 2002 and has been accepted by Birmingham agencies as the foundation for corporate developments.

This report was followed by another short report commissioned by the then Chief Education Officer to help with auditing agencies’ systems in preparation for Information Sharing across the various public and voluntary sector agencies.. The commitment of the key agencies has now been reinforced through agreements in the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership.

Birmingham's proposal to the Children and Young People's Unit (CYPU, now called Children, Young People and Families Directorate) at DfES has secured resources for part of the development needed, as well as particular commitments being made by individual agencies involved in the partnership.

The Birmingham Information Sharing and Assessment (IRT) project is based on government guidance from the CYPFD and consists of five phases.