Information Sharing Duty: Safeguarding Children in General Practice
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Sharing information appropriately can help protect children and prevent harm.
From 30th September 2026, a new statutory Information Sharing Duty under section 16LA of the Children Act 2004 strengthens requirements for relevant organisations involved in safeguarding children.
This memo highlights the importance of having a lawful basis, considering necessity and proportionality, sharing information securely and recording decisions.
Share the right information, with the right people, for the right reasons.
Key actions
- Review safeguarding and information-sharing policies against the new statutory guidance
- Confirm that staff understand when information can or must be shared
- Check that staff know how to seek advice from the safeguarding lead or Caldicott Guardian
- Reinforce the importance of recording information-sharing decisions and their rationale
- 1. Review secure communication arrangements for sharing safeguarding information
Explore this topic further
Preventing Inappropriate Access to Patient Records: A Practical Guide for Practice Managers
Read guideSources & Further Reading
This memo provides general operational information and should be read alongside current national guidance, relevant legislation and local policies. Practices should seek appropriate clinical advice when making decisions about specific risks or procedures.