Information Sharing Duty

New Information Sharing Duty

A new Information Sharing Duty came into force on 30 September 2026, introducing an important change to how organisations and practitioners share information to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The duty places a legal obligation on relevant organisations to share information where it may help another organisation to safeguard or promote a child's welfare. Importantly, this applies across the full continuum of need, including prevention and early intervention, and is not limited to situations where child protection thresholds have been met.

The Information Sharing Duty Poster 2026 below provides a quick overview of what the new duty means for practitioners, including when information should be shared, the role of consent and the limited circumstances when information should not be shared.

Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Children Partnership is working with partner agencies to support consistent implementation of the new requirements across Rochdale. Partners are being asked to review their policies, procedures and information-sharing arrangements, brief their workforce and ensure staff understand their responsibilities under the new duty.

The key message for practitioners is: information sharing is about what we should share, not simply what we can share. Effective information sharing can help us identify risk earlier, provide the right support sooner and improve outcomes for children and families.

Share information. Support each other. Keep children safe.