Child database goes live

Head teachers will soon be able to get information about any child in England from a national database.
The massive database, called ContactPoint, will give authorised professionals access to details of every child in England. It will contain their name, address, date of birth, GP and school – and also the name and contact details of any professional working with that particular child.
Two staff from every local authority in England are now being trained to operate the system. In the North West social workers and other professionals will start training and using ContacPoint over the next few months, followed by the rest of the country later in the year.
The government says ContactPoint will help social services, health, police, and head teachers help keep children safe.
According to a statement from the Department for Schools, Children and Families, “Under current arrangements if a professional believes a child is at risk they may have no immediate way of knowing whether other services are already in contact with that child.
“The Government believes a fully operational system could save at least five million hours of professionals’ time, currently wasted trying to track down who else, if anyone, is helping the child.”
But some children’s rights organisations have protested that the database will not necessarily protect children. They fear it infringes children’s and their families privacy, and are concerned that the information on the database may not be secure.
Watch Action on Rights for Children talk about ContactPoint on YouTube.
Youtube