The new statutory Information Sharing Duty comes into force on 30.09.2026. It strengthens the responsibility on organisations to share relevant information where doing so may help safeguard children.

New Statutory Duty to Share Information

This is a briefing for all colleagues to make you aware of an important change to the law regarding how we share information to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The new statutory Information Sharing Duty DfE stat guidance template comes into force on 30 September 2026. It strengthens the responsibility on organisations to share relevant information where doing so may help another organisation safeguard or promote a child's welfare. This is a significant change, and it is important that we all understand what it means for your day-to-day practice.

What is changing?
Previously, information-sharing decisions have often focused on whether a child is at risk of harm or meets the threshold for statutory Children's Social Care intervention. The new duty is broader. It requires partners to consider whether information may help another organisation safeguard or promote a child's welfare, including where there are emerging concerns or opportunities to provide earlier support.

This means that information may need to be shared even when a child does not meet the threshold for Children's Social Care. However, this does not mean that all information should be shared automatically. Professional judgement remains essential, and information sharing must be relevant, necessary, proportionate, and secure.

What about parental consent?

The new duty makes clear that consent is not required where the statutory duty to share applies. However, this does not remove the importance of being open and transparent with children and families. Where it is safe and appropriate, partners should explain what information we are sharing, with whom and why. Maintaining positive, trusting relationships with families remains central to good practice.

There may be circumstances where informing a family could increase risk or compromise safeguarding activity. These decisions should be considered carefully, checked with your safeguarding lead and the rationale recorded. The important distinction is that you may not need consent to share information, but you should still consider how we communicate with families about it.

What does this mean for you?

If your role involves working with children and families, or you hold information that may be relevant to a child's welfare, please take some time to familiarise yourself with the new duty and consider what it means for your practice. In particular:

• Consider whether information you hold could help another organisation better understand a child's needs or provide support.

• Do not assume that information can only be shared when a child meets a statutory safeguarding threshold.

• Continue to share information in a relevant, proportionate, and secure way.

• Be open with children and families about information sharing wherever it is safe and appropriate.

• Record your decisions, including your rationale where a decision is made not to share relevant information.

• Seek advice from your manager or safeguarding lead if you are unsure.

The wider welfare test is a significant change, and this may raise questions about what information should be shared and when. The Leicester Safeguarding Children Partnership (LR SCP) is available to support colleagues to understand the changes and apply these consistently.

What happens next?

The Leicester Safeguarding Children Partnership will review these arrangements through the Policy and Procedures Group, and will develop further guidance to support practitioners. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Children's Safeguarding Procedures will also be updated to reflect these changes.

In the meantime, please continue to follow existing safeguarding and information-sharing procedures, applying the new statutory requirements from 30 September 2026. If you are concerned about a child's safety or welfare, do not delay sharing relevant information while awaiting further guidance.

The purpose of this change is to help us work together more effectively, recognise emerging needs earlier and ensure that children and families receive the right support at the right time.