Information sharing and consent
The Information Sharing Duty, introduced through the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, provides a clear legal framework for organisations and practitioners to share information that helps safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
It should be read alongside the statutory guidance Working together to safeguard children - GOV.UK
When does the duty apply?
Organisations must share information when they:
- hold information about a child, or someone connected to a child
- believe that information is relevant to safeguarding or promoting the child's welfare
- consider that sharing the information may help another safeguarding partner assess risk, identify need, make decisions, provide support, or take action to protect a child
The duty applies to both emerging concerns and significant safeguarding risks. A child does not need to meet a statutory threshold, such as child protection intervention, before information can be shared.
Key principles
Share to safeguard
Information sharing is essential for building a full picture of a child's circumstances, identifying concerns early, and enabling timely support and protection.
Consent is not required
Where the duty applies, practitioners do not need consent from children, parents, or carers to share relevant safeguarding information. Data protection legislation supports lawful and proportionate information sharing to protect children.
Professional judgement remains important
Practitioners should consider the following:
- Is the information relevant?
- Will sharing help another agency safeguard or support the child?
- Could sharing cause greater harm to the child than not sharing?
When might information not be shared?
The duty does not apply in the rare circumstance where a practitioner determines that sharing information would be more detrimental to the child than not sharing it. Examples may include situations where disclosure could place a child at immediate risk of harm.
Lack of parental consent, fear of complaints, practitioner uncertainty, or concerns about data protection are not valid reasons to withhold information.
What information should be shared?
Relevant information may include:
- Concerns about a child's wellbeing, health, behaviour, attendance, development, or safety.
- Information about parents, carers, family members, peers, or other individuals where it may affect a child's welfare.
- Historical, contextual, or pattern-based information that contributes to understanding risk or need.
Good practice
Practitioners should:
- act promptly and avoid unnecessary delays
- record decisions and the rationale for sharing or not sharing information
- share only information that is relevant and proportionate
- be open and transparent with children and families where it is safe and appropriate to do so
- follow local safeguarding partnership information-sharing arrangements
Please note: Effective information sharing saves lives, prevents harm, and enables children and families to receive the right support at the right time.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and organisations should share information confidently when it may help protect a child or promote their welfare.
The full document can be viewed via the Information Sharing Duty