Source: Department of Education published on this website Wednesday 30 September 2026 by Jill Powell
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 introduced an information sharing duty statutory guidance to provide clarity for Practitioner on what and when they should share information for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Local safeguarding arrangements, practices and procedures, alongside pre-existing statutory responsibilities, then determine how this information should be shared, and with whom. As with all processing of personal data, data protection law determines how to do so appropriately.
- Section 11(1) Children Act 2004 organisations (e.g. local authorities, Integrated Care Boards, NHS Trusts, the police, prison and probation services, youth justice services, and youth custody services)2. • Designated childcare or education agencies for the purposes of section 16E3.
- Providers delivering services pursuant to arrangements made by the above for functions relating to safeguarding and promoting welfare. This includes GPs, dentists, and other primary care providers.
The Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018 3 Organisations and practitioners to whom the information sharing duty does not apply may find this guidance helpful for best practice, and for understanding how the statutory safeguarding framework, which they contribute information to, operates.
Section 11(4) of the Children Act 2004 requires persons and bodies to which the section 11 duty applies to have regard to any guidance given to them by the Secretary of State.
Section 7 LA Social Services Act 1970 requires LAs to act, in their social services function, under the general guidance of the Secretary of State.
Section 11(1) Children Act 2004
Designated childcare or education agencies are listed in 2018 Regulations
