All children and young people should get the best possible start in life
ContactPoint aims to make services better for children and young people. It is a national contacts list for people who work with children and young people. It will provide them with a quick way to find out who else is working with the same child, making it easier for them to work as a team and deliver more coordinated support.
Why it is needed
Many children and young people need extra help or support. If the people who are helping a child can find each other quickly they can find the right support at the right time.
It can take a long time for a professional to find out who else is working with the same child. ContactPoint means they won't waste time trying to find out this simple information, or duplicating work already being done by other services. This means practitioners can spend more time delivering services to children and families.
Children, young people and their families should be at the centre of what is happening, and have a say in the services and support they get.
Some key facts
ContactPoint will hold name and contact details for:
* all children in England up to their 18th birthday;
* their parents and carers; and
* services working with a child (school, doctor, plus other services such as a health visitor).
You can ask to see the information held about you, and can ask to have it corrected if something needs changing.
ContactPoint will only be used by people whose job it is to help children and young people - such as a Head Teacher, a GP or a Social Worker. They will all have been trained and security cleared before they can use it.
ContactPoint uses the latest technology to keep it safe and up-to-date.
ContactPoint is part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families' Every Child Matters plan, which all councils follow. It will be introduced across England in 2009.
Shielding
Some people may have some of their details hidden on ContactPoint to prevent their location being identified - this is called shielding. It's for people who are at risk of significant harm, such as victims of domestic violence. The shielding concept is used by lots of systems, not just ContactPoint.
In most cases practitioners will ask for a shield to be applied for a child or parent. If anyone is concerned, and has reason to believe a child should be shielded on ContactPoint they will be able to contact their local authority. Local authorities need to apply the criteria set out in statutory guidance to determine whether they should shield the record on ContactPoint.
To find out more about the Data Protection Act visit their website via the link below.
For further information and examples of how ContactPoint will help improve services, visit their website or contact the Warwickshire ContactPoint team:
Knowledge Information Management Service
Children, Young People and Families Directorate
Warwickshire County Council
Saltisford Office Park
Ansell Way
Warwick
CV34 4UL
Telephone: 01926 742 352
Email contactpoint@warwickshire.gov.uk
Related Documents:
* ContactPoint Fact sheet for Young People and Parents
* ContactPoint Information for Young People and Parents
* ContactPoint Leaflet for Young People and Parents
* Fair Processing Further Information Notice
* Regulations made under Section 12 of the Children Act 2004
* Regulation explanatory notes
Related External Links:
* www.ico.gov.uk
* www.ecm.gov.uk/contactpoint
* Every Child Matters |