Basic Guide to Information Sharing
Seven golden rules for information Sharing
1. Remember that the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriately.
2. Be open and honest with the person (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could be shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so.
3. Seek advice if you are in any doubt, without disclosing the identity of the person where possible
4. Share with consent where appropriate and, where possible, respect the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still share information without consent if, in your judgement, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest. You will need to base judgement on the facts of the case.
5. Consider safety and well-being: Base your information sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the person who may be affected by their actions.
6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure: Ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those people who need to have it, is accurate and up-to-date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely.
7. Keep a record of your decision and the reasons for it - whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share, then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose.
The ‘ Seven Golden Rules' and the following Questions 1- 7 will help support your decision making so you can be more confident that information is being shared legally and professionally. If you answer ‘not sure' to any of the questions, seek advice from your supervisor, manager, nominated person within your organisation or area, or from a professional body.
For more information go to www.everychildmatters.gov.uk/deliveringservices/informationsharing or go to http://www.proceduresonline.com/westyorkscb/chapters/p_info_shar_confid.html for West Yorkshire Consortium Procedures online
