The new Information Sharing Duty came into effect on 30 September 2026.
Where the Information Sharing Duty applies, organisations must share information with each other, if it is considered that sharing may help with;
- assessing need
- making a decision
- providing support
- taking action to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child
Where the terms of the duty are met, this includes information about any individual – a peer or an adult – within a child’s life. This includes when a child potentially poses risk to others.
Who the duty applies to
It applies to all agencies who have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004, for example:
- local councils – including children and adult social care, housing, public health, licencing, and youth services
- NHS trusts, Integrated Care Boards, and health services, including GPs, dentists, and other primary care providers
- police forces
- childcare, early years and education providers (designated childcare or education agencies are listed in 2018 Regulations, The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018)
- prison and probation services
- youth justice services and youth custody services
- services commissioned by the local council
Practitioners working in organisations that are not covered by the Information Sharing Duty, such as some voluntary and community sector organisations, should still share information when they are worried about the safety or wellbeing of children. This comes under a different legal framework.
What this means for practitioners
This means sharing information to provide help to children and families earlier, identify risks and protect children from harm. Sharing should always be proportionate; sharing what information is necessary to keep children safe and well.
Consent is not needed to share information when practitioners have worries about children or their parents or carers. It is good practice to tell children and families when you are sharing information about them, unless doing so would place the child at greater risk of harm.
What this means for children, young people, and families
No single agency holds the full picture of a child’s life. By sharing relevant information at the right time, partners can make better-informed decisions, coordinate support more effectively, and improve outcomes for children and young people.
What we are doing
Organisations across the partnership are reviewing policies, procedures, and training arrangements to help raise awareness and support organisations to carry out their duties.
Where you can find out more
Further guidance and learning opportunities will be shared to help staff understand what the new duty means in practice. We are working with our partners to promote key messages; keep checking our website and newsletters for further information.
We are interested to hear your views on the Information Sharing Duty and what could support you to use this effectively. Please contact DSCPSecure@durham.gov.uk to provide any feedback.
You can access the guidance at Gov.uk: Information sharing to safeguard children and young people.