Practitioners guide and toolkit - information sharing, confidentiality and consent

Introduction

There will be occasions where you will have to share and exchange information with other practitioners working between and across a wide range of other services and/or agencies. This could include services and/or agencies in the public, private third/voluntary sectors - including adult services.

Perth and Kinross Child Protection Committee (CPC) has produced this Toolkit for all practitioners and managers working within children and young people and their families within the public, private and third sectors across Perth and Kinross. The Toolkit provides information, advice and guidance on Information Sharing, Confidentiality and Consent. It also provides Practitioner Checklists, Flowcharts, Electronic Links and Downloads which Practitioners will find helpful.

Remember, nothing whatsoever, in Scottish, UK and/or European Law and/or in the Scottish child protection legislative, policy and/or practice environments prevents you from sharing information where you are worried or concerned about a child or young person's wellbeing. On the contrary, you are, within certain limitations and constraints, empowered to do so.

Practitioner's toolkit resources

Scottish Government refreshed national guidance for child protection in Scotland 2021 and supporting documents for all practitioners, services and agencies which includes guidance on proportionate information sharing. 

• Scottish Government National Guidance for CP in Scotland 2021 (PDF, 5 MB) - Scottish Government National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland - Information, advice and guidance for those working to keep children, young people and their families safe and protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.  Includes practice guidance and advice on information sharing.
• Perth and Kinross Code of Practice: Information Sharing, Confidentiality and Consent (Refreshed and Published 25 August 2022)) (PDF, 342 KB)
• This document provides practitioners with a reminder of the key policy principles of information sharing in relation to child protection as specified in the Children's Charter and Framework for Standards.
• ICO Guide to Data Protection (PDF, 2 MB) - This guide covers the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and helps you understand which parts apply to you and your practice.   
• ICO Guide to GDPR-  This explains and covers the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as it applies in the UK. It explains each of the data protection principles, rights and obligations. It summarises the key points you need to know, answers frequently asked questions, and contains practical checklists to help you comply.
• ICO Data Sharing Code of Practice (PDF, 1 MB) - This ICO document is a practical guide on how to share personal data in compliance with data protection law. It aims to give you confidence to share data fairly and proportionately.
• ICO A 10 step guide to sharing information to safeguard children (opens new window) - The Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has published a ten-step guide to sharing information to safeguard children. This is designed to increase confidence in sharing information when a child may be at risk of harm.
• Practice Guidance 4 (PDF, 586 KB) - Practice guidance for all staff on getting information sharing right for every child.
• Charter for Children and Young People (PDF, 90 KB) - A Charter for children and young people which explains their rights and how they can expect organisations to manage personal information about them.
• Charter for Parents and Carers (PDF, 72 KB) - A Charter for Parents and Carers which explains how they can expect information about them / their child to be managed and aims to make their privacy rights easier to understand.