Network and communicate with external contacts

1. identify and establish links with people who are relevant, or potentially relevant, to your work and to the requirements for particular assignments 2. keep contact information complete, up-to-date and in line with current data protection legislation  3. provide colleagues with appropriate access to contact information in line with current data protection legislation 4. approach your contacts at appropriate times to obtain the relevant information  5. ensure that the contacts you make cover the required range of information and opinion 6. use information from appropriate sources to check the credibility and integrity of your contacts, and the value of the information they provide 7. make arrangements for possible future approaches to contacts at appropriate times 8. respond to unexpected approaches from people without delay  9. make full and accurate records of the reasons for unexpected approaches and other relevant details  10. keep contact details and information confidential when requested by contacts 11. take appropriate steps to stay safe on-line when using social media 12. communicate with contacts and other people in line with current legislation and codes of practice relating to individual privacy data protection  13. deal with contacts in an efficient and courteous way that meets your organisation’s policy 14. refer issues with contacts that you cannot resolve or which are beyond the limits of your authority to the appropriate people