Council Plans Information Database On Children

Plans to introduce an internet-based information sharing system on children in Berkshire are being discussed. Slough Borough Council is hosting a county-wide conference on Monday to consider plans for ContactPoint.

The government system for professionals who work with children allows organisations to find out who else is working with a child. The council said the process will ensure children are kept safe and have “the best possible start in life”.

ContactPoint, previously known as the information sharing index, is an online directory available only to authorised staff including those in education, health, social care, youth offending and some voluntary organisations.

It will hold information for all children aged up to 18 including their name, address, gender, date of birth a unique identifying number, contact details for services involved with the child and educational setting and GP practice.

ContactPoint will not hold assessment information, or subjective observations about a child or their parent nor information such as birth weight, exam results or medical records.

Senior managers from local authorities across Berkshire, as well as other organisations who work with children, will attend the conference in Bracknell.

Catrin Morgan, ContactPoint manager at Slough Borough Council, said: “It is hoped the conference will raise awareness of the project across Berkshire…to ensure that when ContactPoint is launched, we can offer a co-ordinated and seamless service to the county’s children.”