Information sharing is essential to enable early intervention and preventative work, for safeguarding and promoting welfare and for wider public protection. It is a vital element in improving outcomes for all.

In October 2008, an updated version of the 2006 cross-government information-sharing guidance was published. It has been updated to reflect current policy and extended to cover those working with adults and families as well as those working with children and young people. It is to support practitioners at the front line who have to make case-by-case decisions about when and what personal information to share. The guidance and associated materials aim to support good practice in information sharing by offering clarity on when and how information can be shared legally and professionally.