Changes to safeguarding legislation to start passage through Keys

Safeguarding (Amendment Bill) 2025 puts in law requirements for information sharing

Proposed changes to the Island's safeguarding legislation will begin their passage through the House of Keys next week.

The Safeguarding (Amendment Bill) 2025 would put into law the requirement for practitioners and agencies to share information where there are safeguarding and welfare concerns for children and vulnerable adults.

Under a proposed amendment to the Safeguarding Act 2018 the information could be permitted without concern over breaching data protection laws.

The changes would ensure professionals working in all agencies and sectors such as social work, schools - including children's nurseries, health, residential settings and in charities and other third sector organisations, can be confident and proactive about sharing information to reduce the risk of harm or abuse to children and vulnerable adults.

Lesley Walker, the independent chair of the Safeguarding Board says fear and misunderstanding of data protection legislation has prevented practitioners and professionals from sharing information in an appropriate and timely way.