Information sharing

Information sharing is vital to safeguard children and young people effectively. Every professional working with a child or young person should be able to share information about vulnerable children consistently and with confidence.

It is important that practitioners understand when, why and how they should share information so that they can do so confidently and appropriately as part of their day-to-day practice.

The appropriate sharing of information can result in the jigsaw of information becoming complete with new, accurate and informed conclusions being made about the situation of a child.

What information you should share

Keeping children safe from harm requires information to be shared about:

• children’s health, development and exposure to possible harm
• parents who may need help caring for children
• those who may pose a risk of harm to children

The Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriately.

How to share information

When sharing information it is important that you:

• consider the safety and welfare of the child or young person
• explain to children, young people and families what you are sharing
• still share information without consent if it is in the interest of the child
• only share necessary information
• only share the information with the people who need it
• only share accurate information
• seek advice from senior colleagues if necessary
• keep a record of your decision and the reasons for it