Information Sharing

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What is an information sharing agreement?

An information sharing agreement provides a framework for the secure and confidential obtaining, holding, recording, storing and sharing of information between participating partner agencies or organisations. Organisations that provide public services have a legal responsibility to ensure that personal information is lawful, securely controlled and protective of the rights of individuals.

Why do we need to share information?

Sharing information about individuals between public authorities is essential to keeping people safe and ensuring they receive the best services. This sharing must only happen when it is legal and necessary to do so. In addition, adequate safeguards must be in place to protect the security of the information.

Our Information Sharing Agreement

In Barnet we have incorporated an over-arching pan-London Data Sharing Agreement which includes Barnet MASH, Early Help and Multi-agency Child Exploitation, as well as the BSCP activities. 

This provides us with a clear and agreed basis for what information we will share and why. All our key local partners have signed the Information Sharing Agreement and this underpins practitioners' work with partners. 

The Department for Education also provides advice on information sharing for practitioners involved in safeguarding services to children and young people. This guidance has been update to reflect GDPR (general data protection regulation) and it supercedes previous published guidance.