Request personal information about children

You have told us that you are requesting personal information about a child or children in your care.

You need to provide evidence that you have parental responsibility or legal responsibility for that child. This will show us you are legally entitled to information about the child.

Your child's consent

We need your child’s consent if they are capable of giving this. We will assume that children aged 13 or over are capable of consent, unless there is evidence otherwise. Please include their consent in writing stating they are happy for the information you have requested about them to be released to you. If you consider the child lacks capacity to provide their consent, please contact us to let us know. We may consult with a social care professional for advice.

Requests from birth parents

If you’re the child’s birth parent with parental responsibility, you need to send a copy of the child’s birth certificate together with your own proof of identification.

Your proof of identification must match the parent information on the birth certificate.

Requests from other people with parental responsibility

If you’re not the child’s birth parent but have parental responsibility, you need to provide a copy of the relevant parental responsibility agreement. For example, this might be an adoption certificate.

You also need to provide proof of your own identification.

Requests from other people

If you do not have parental responsibility, you will need to provide proof of your authority to act. For example, this might be evidence of consent from a child with capacity, or consent from a parent where the child lacks capacity.

You also need to provide proof of your own identification.

Proof of your identity

To help us establish your identity, your application must be accompanied by copies of 2 official documents which between them show your name, date of birth and current address. For example: a copy of a passport, a driver’s licence, a utility bill, a council tax bill, or any other official document which shows your name and address.

Do not send original documents

We advise you to send copies of official documents by post. Use a service that tracks and records delivery. Sending by email is not considered a secure method.

If you do not have any of the documents we have asked for, please contact us before you complete the form.

Complete the request form

Subject access form - requesting information on behalf of someone else

Before you send the form

Check you have completed all sections.

Make sure you have enclosed copies of the documents we have asked you to provide.

Send us the form

Please send your completed form to:

Information Access
Care Quality Commission
Citygate, Floor 6
Gallowgate
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4PA

Personal data can be at risk if an individual gains unauthorised access to the email server or email account. If you choose to send copies by email, this is at your own risk.

You can email the forms to: information.access@cqc.org.uk