Setting the scene
Information sharing does not only take place between organisations covered by the Information Sharing Duty. Every day, practitioners work with services, professionals and organisations that may not fall within the duty but still play an important role in supporting children, young people and families. Chapter 5: Information Sharing in Other Circumstances helps practitioners understand how information can be shared beyond the scope of the duty, while continuing to safeguard children and promote their welfare.
Children's lives do not fit neatly within organisational boundaries. Families often receive support from a range of statutory, voluntary, community and specialist services. There are also specific situations where information sharing may be particularly important, including during pregnancy and as young people prepare to move into adulthood. Effective safeguarding relies on practitioners understanding when information sharing may be necessary and how this can be achieved lawfully and proportionately.
What to do in practice
As a practitioner, you may need to share information with organisations or individuals who are not covered by the Information Sharing Duty, but who have an important role in supporting a child or family. These could include:
- voluntary and community organisations
- specialist support services
- charities
- housing providers
- adult services
- organisations providing support during transition into adulthood
While statutory duty applies to specific organisations, safeguarding remains everyone's responsibility. There may be situations where sharing information with another service is necessary because it will help improve outcomes, reduce risk, coordinate support or protect a child from harm.
Practice tip
When reviewing a child's circumstances, ask:
- Who else is involved with this child or family?
- Could sharing information help them provide better support?
- Do they hold information that could help me understand the child's needs more fully?
Think about safeguarding before birth
Effective information sharing before a baby is born can help identify vulnerabilities, assess potential risks and ensure support is in place as early as possible.
Practice tip
Consider whether information about:
- parental health
- substance misuse
- domestic abuse
- learning needs
- previous involvement with services
may be relevant to assessing the needs of the unborn child and planning appropriate support. Early information sharing can help services intervene at the earliest opportunity and improve outcomes for children and families.
Support young people during transitions
Moving into adulthood can be a significant period of change for young people. Effective information sharing can help ensure support continues smoothly when young people move between children's and adult services.
Without effective information sharing, important information about needs, vulnerabilities or support arrangements can be lost during transition.
Practice tip
When working with young people approaching adulthood:
- Start planning early
- Identify which adult services may become involved
- Consider what information those services will need
- Ensure important information is not lost during the transition process
Understand that other duties may apply
The Information Sharing Duty is not the only legal framework that requires information to be shared. Practitioners may already have responsibilities under other safeguarding, welfare or statutory frameworks.
Practice tip
Ask yourself:
- Is there another legal or professional responsibility that applies here?
- Is information needed to support assessment, intervention or protection?
- Would not sharing information create a risk to the child or young person?
Understanding the wider legal and safeguarding landscape can help ensure important information reaches the people who need it.
Take a child-centred approach
Your focus should always remain on the child's welfare. Decisions about information sharing should be guided by what will best support the child's safety, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.
Practice tip
When making decisions about sharing information, ask:
"How will sharing this information help this child or young person?"
Focusing on the child's needs can help guide professional judgement and support effective decision-making.
Key message
Safeguarding does not stop at organisational boundaries, birth, or a young person's 18th birthday. Effective information sharing helps practitioners work together across services, support families earlier, and ensure children and young people receive the right help at the right time. By thinking broadly about who may need information and how sharing can improve outcomes, practitioners can play an important role in keeping children safe and promoting their welfare.