ContactPoint is coming
What is ContactPoint?
ContactPoint is the name of the Government’s new database that will store
contact information on all 11 million children in England (aged 0 to 18). The
systems has been developed as part of the Government’s ‘Every Child
Matters’ programme and is being launched through the Department for
Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The Government’s aims for
ContactPoint are to speed up communication and information sharing
between professionals and to support children and young people falling
through the safety net.
There are approximately 27,700 children under the age of 18 living in
Poole. The Government expects all their details to be included on
ContactPoint. The Government has given responsibility to the Borough
to ensure these details up-to-date.
This leaflet intends to inform families about the background to the
ContactPoint scheme and encourage parents, carers, young people and
children to ensure ContactPoint’s records are accurate and that they are
being used in their best interests.
The Borough of Poole will strive to use ContactPoint for the health, safety and
well-being of our children with the confidence of their parents and carers.
Seventeen local authorities are initially leading its introduction which
commenced in May 2009. Other local authorities will be added later. Section
12 of the Children Act 2004 provides the legal basis for establishing
ContactPoint, as well as the legal framework for the regulations. Guidance
has been developed and sets out the key statutory requirements of the
Children Act 2004 and the Regulations.
Each local authority in England must participate in the operation of
ContactPoint in accordance with the above regulations.
What details?
ContactPoint holds basic details of the child, ie name, address, gender, a
unique identification number, date of birth. It also contains the contact details
of any child’s legal parent or carer. It will also hold the contact details of the
educational setting, eg school, primary medical practitioner, such as GP
practice and other universal services such as mid-wife, school nurse, health
visitor plus the contact details of any additional practitioner such as a social
worker, etc for each child. The Children Act 2004 specifically prohibits the
inclusion of any sort of information such as educational or medical records or
any other such detail.
No information will be held on ContactPoint regarding the involvement of
sensitive services (defined as mental health, sexual health or substance
misuse) without specific consent and then it will only give an indication that a
sensitive service is involved, but no details of who or what kind.
The Government proposes that all the records will remain live until the child
becomes 18. It is then the Government’s intention that records will be
archived for six years before being destroyed.
Who has access?
People who work with, or for, children such as Teachers, Social Workers,
Doctors and Youth Workers as well as appropriate voluntary organisations:
such as youth clubs or playgroups. All professionals who require access to
ContactPoint as part of the job, will be fully trained and accredited. They must
have enhanced criminal bureau checks undertaken every three years, if for
any reason this check is not renewed their access to ContactPoint will be
immediately terminated and they will have to then be re-accredited.
The Government estimates that around 390,000 professionals will be able to
access the database, and they plan that all users will be fully trained and will
use the system in strict confidentiality. The Borough is responsible for all
users of the system in our area and will do its upmost to ensure the system is
used appropriately and in accordance with Regulations.
What control do I have over the information?
Under the Government’s statutory regulations, the basic information, as
described above, on all children in England must be included on ContactPoint,
however, if this would lead to a child or adult being put at increased risk of
harm as a result of their details being available on ContactPoint a shield can
be applied. The record would then only show a child’s name, date of birth and
gender. No other details would be visible to practitioners. You should read
the section on shielding carefully if you have concerns about this data being
held on your child.
Are there safeguards?
The Government states that the security of ContactPoint is of paramount
importance and that security experts have rigorously tested the system.
Access to ContactPoint is restricted to authorised users only. The
Government requires all users to complete mandatory ContactPoint training
and other relevant training (such as information sharing). They must have
security clearance (including and enhanced Criminal Records Bureau
disclosure which must be renewed every three years) and will need a user
name, a personal identification number (PIN), a personal security token and a
password.
No information can be downloaded from ContactPoint to a disc or any other
device, nor to a case management system.
What is shielding?
The Government has proposed a process called shielding. Shielding means
hiding details about a child, young person, or family member’s whereabouts
because some family members may be put at risk if their whereabouts
became known. Guidance states that this may take place if by showing full
details of child would put:
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the child at increased risk of significant harm
place an adult at risk of increased significant harm
put a child’s adoption placement at risk
prejudice the prevention or detection of a serious crime
Each case has to be considered on an individual basis and the views of all
practitioners working with the family, as well as the views of the family
themselves must be taken into account.
Some examples of where the above criteria may be applicable, dependent on
the circumstances:
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witness protection
forced marriages
a family fleeing domestic violence
Practitioners working with a child or family can request a shield to be applied.
Legal parents and carers, or young people also have the right to request a
shield, if they feel their circumstances meet the above criteria.
The Borough of Poole is currently finalising its policies to ensure it complies
with the legislation.
Children/young people and their parent(s) or carer(s) are entitled, under the
Data Protection Act 1998 to look at their details on the system. To find out
more about shielding and your rights regarding ContactPoint see the
information panel below.
Useful information and contacts
For further information about ContactPoint visit:
www.boroughofpoole.com/contactpoint
Or, try Poole’s ContactPoint team:
Tel: 01202 633300
Email: contactpoint@poole.gov.uk
Or visit the Government’s website: www.ecm.gov.uk/contactpoint