Summary: A 10-step guide to sharing information to safeguard children
Introduction:
- This guide provides advice on data protection considerations when sharing personal information for child safeguarding purposes.
- The ICO focuses on regulating information rights and not safeguarding practices.
- Data protection law supports sharing information to identify and protect children at risk of harm.
- Effective information sharing is crucial for child safeguarding, and gaps in sharing have contributed to failures in past cases.
Target Audience:
- Professionals at all levels involved in child safeguarding across the UK.
- Not limited to child safeguarding practitioners; everyone has a responsibility.
- Safeguarding includes preventing harm, promoting child welfare, and identifying risk.
- The term 'children' encompasses young people up to 18 years old.
10 Steps for Sharing Information Safely:
- Understand that data protection supports information sharing and doesn't prevent it.
- Clearly define the objective for sharing information.
- Implement clear and secure policies and systems for information sharing.
- Ensure transparency and respect individual rights.
- Assess risks before sharing and do so as required.
- Consider entering into a data sharing agreement.
- Adhere to the seven data protection principles.
- Use the appropriate lawful basis for sharing information.
- Share information promptly in emergency situations.
- Refer to the ICO's data sharing code of practice for further guidance.
Key Points:
- Safeguarding children is a compelling reason for sharing information.
- Data protection is designed to aid, not hinder, safeguarding efforts.
- Multiple lawful bases exist for sharing information, with consent being just one option.
- Special category data (sensitive data) has additional rules for sharing.
- Sharing information in emergencies is crucial and should not be delayed by usual processes.
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