Information sharing

Why does information sharing matter?

Information sharing is central to effective safeguarding and to promoting the welfare of children and young people. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 makes clear that safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and that effective help, support and protection relies on agencies sharing relevant information promptly and appropriately.

Learning from Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs) consistently highlights that children are placed at greater risk when professionals fail to share information, delay sharing, or make assumptions that others are aware of concerns. Missed opportunities to connect information across agencies can result in harm not being identified or responded to early enough.

Information sharing is a core part of every practitioner’s role, whether working in universal services, Family Help, safeguarding or child protection. Timely and proportionate sharing enables professionals to:

• understand children’s lived experiences
• identify risk earlier
• coordinate support through a multi‑disciplinary Family Help approach
• take decisive action where protection is required.

Concerns about data protection must not prevent necessary action. Practitioners are individually responsible for sharing information they hold where this is needed to safeguard a child and must not rely on others to do so.

What is the legal basis for information sharing?

Working Together 2026 confirms that information sharing for safeguarding purposes is underpinned by both safeguarding law and data protection law, which must be read together.

Children Act duties

Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places a duty on relevant organisations and individuals to ensure their functions are discharged with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Sharing information appropriately is essential to meeting this duty.

Data protection

The UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 provide a framework that enables, rather than prevents, information sharing where it is:

• lawful
• fair
• necessary
• proportionate
• in the child’s best interests

Information may be shared where there is:

consent, where appropriate and safe; or
another lawful basis, including the protection of a child’s vital interests or the performance of a public task in safeguarding children.

Working Together 2026 strengthens expectations on organisations to ensure clear accountability, leadership and decision‑making for information sharing, and for partnerships to evidence the impact of data sharing on outcomes for children.

What are the principles of information sharing?

Consistent with Working Together 2026 and statutory information‑sharing advice, practitioners should apply the following principles:

Necessary and proportionate

Share only what is needed to achieve the safeguarding purpose, and no more. The level of information shared should reflect the level of risk and need.

Relevant

Information shared must be relevant to the concern and given to those who need it to safeguard or support the child effectively.

Adequate

Information should be sufficient in quality and detail to support professional judgement and decision‑making.

Accurate

Information must be factually accurate and up to date, clearly distinguishing between fact, observation, opinion and professional judgement.

Timely

Delays in information sharing can place children at risk. Information should be shared as soon as it is needed. In urgent situations, seeking consent may be inappropriate if it would delay protective action.

Secure

Information must be shared using secure systems, in line with organisational policies and data‑security requirements.

Recorded

All decisions about information sharing — whether information is shared or not — must be clearly recorded, including:

• what was shared
• with whom
• the legal basis
• the rationale for the decision

Records should be retained only in line with retention policies and reviewed where long‑term storage is required.

When should I share information?

Working Together 2026 expects practitioners to exercise professional curiosity and make timely decisions about sharing information.

Key questions to consider include:

• Is there a clear safeguarding purpose?
• Is consent required, appropriate and safe to seek?
• Does the information identify, or risk identifying, a child or others?
• Is there a lawful basis to share without consent to prevent or reduce the risk of harm?

Where there is uncertainty, advice should be sought from a manager or safeguarding lead — without delaying action where a child may be at risk.

What are the 7 golden rules for information sharing?

Aligned with Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026:

• Data protection and human rights law are not barriers to sharing information where a child needs protection.
• Be open and honest with children and families about information sharing, unless doing so would increase risk.
• Seek advice where you are unsure, but do not allow this to delay safeguarding action.
• Seek consent where appropriate, but understand consent is not required where there is another lawful basis.
• Place the child’s safety and welfare first at all times.
• Ensure sharing is necessary, proportionate, relevant, adequate, accurate, timely and secure.
• Record decisions and reasoning clearly and consistently.

Where can I get further Information? +