Section outline

  • This guidance explains how schools should manage information about a child’s previously looked after or adopted status with care and confidentiality. Adoption status is highly sensitive personal data and must only be shared on a need‑to‑know basis, with a clear lawful purpose and transparency through the school’s privacy notice. Although parents are not required to disclose this information, sharing it can enable access to pupil premium plus, support trauma‑informed practice and strengthen safeguarding. Any sharing with local authorities or receiving schools should follow child protection record transfer guidance to ensure continuity of support while respecting parental choice and data protection requirements.