When and How Information Should Be Shared

Information should be shared when it is necessary to safeguard or promote the welfare of a child. Under Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, practitioners have a duty to share relevant information promptly with the right people. You do not need consent if there is a risk of significant harm or if obtaining consent would place a child at further risk. Always ensure that information shared is:

• Necessary for the purpose.
• Proportionate to the risk.
• Accurate and up to date.
• Shared securely and recorded appropriately.

If in doubt, seek advice from your safeguarding lead or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) South Tyneside Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0191 424 5010 (or Out of Hours on 0191 456 2093)

Remember: Data protection legislation is not a barrier to sharing information for safeguarding purposes.

Guidance:

Clear guidance on sharing information lawfully and effectively to safeguard children can be found here:

• National Guidance:
  • Information Sharing: Advice for Safeguarding Practitioners (DfE)
  • Working together to Safeguard Children 2026
  • The Data Protection Act 2018
  • The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
• Local Guidance:
  • PowerPoint Presentation

South Tyneside Safeguarding Children Partnership Information Sharing Agreement