Schools and early years’ settings hold a great deal of information about children and young people, some of which is very personal/private.
Various regulations and laws govern the management of this information and appropriate sharing.
It is good practice for schools to advise parents/carers and young people that information about pupils is stored in various systems such as SIMS, EMS and SafetyNET, with an explanation about what these systems are and what the information is used for. Leaflets for parents, carers and young people are also available at the SafetyNET link below.
Common sense decision-making:
- Consent to share is the best way to operate as it represents good practice and is simple
- If a young person confides in you about being harmed or abused but then asks you not to tell anyone, don’t make promises you may not be able to keep. You may need to seek advice from the Children’s Specialist Services, police or Safeguarding Advisory Service.
- If you are dealing with significant abuse or harm, you have a duty to share information with the police and Children’s Specialist Services
- At a lower level of concern, parents/carers and young people have a right to withhold consent to share information but you should seek to reassure and persuade them so they can access appropriate services
- The CPLT/CPLO and leadership team should be made aware of all child protection concerns
Top Tips:
- Respect confidentiality and privacy but don’t use it as an excuse not to take action where necessary
- Make sure you have a basic understanding of the law and seek advice where necessary
- Be clear about what you are dealing with and who should be told
- Make sure matters of concern and decision making are well recorded
- Where appropriate share what you have written/decided with parents/carers and young people
Useful resources:
Integrated Practice Manual, Core Guidance on key Information Sharing Issues
Information Sharing: Practitioners Guide, DfES, 2006
SafetyNET – Useful Resources section
Human Rights: Human Lives, Ministry of Justice, 2006
Guidance to the law on data processing and sharing, DfES, 2007
Children Act 1989
Protection of Children Act 1999
Education Act 2002
Children Act 2004
