ContactPoint was previously known by the working title of the 'information sharing index'.  It will be the quick way for a practitioner to find out who else is working with the same child or young person, making it easier to deliver more coordinated support.

It will be a basic online directory, available to authorised staff who need it to do their jobs. It is a key part of the Every Child Matters programme to improve outcomes for children.

The objectives of ContactPoint are to: 

• help practitioners quickly verify the identity of a child with whom they have contact, and assess whether that child is receiving universal services (education, primary health care);
• enable earlier identification of needs, and earlier and more effective action to address them by providing a tool for practitioners to identify who else is involved with the child;
• encourage better communication between practitioners by indicating that there is information to share, an assessment has taken place or action has been taken.

ContactPoint will hold the following information:

• Basic identifying information for all children in England (aged up to 18): name, address, gender, date of birth and a unique identifying number.
• Basic identifying information about the child's parent or carer.
• Contact details for services involved with the child: as a minimum, educational setting and GP practice, but also other services where appropriate.
• A means to indicate that a practitioner has information to share, is taking action, or has undertaken an assessment under the Common Assessment Framework in relation to a child.

ContactPoint will not hold assessment or case information, or subjective observations about a child or their parent.  It will not contain any details such as birth weight, exam results, medical records, diet or any other detailed personal information about a child or their family.

The informed consent of the young person or the child's parents and carers will be required to record details about practitioners providing sensitive services, such as sexual and mental health, and substance abuse services. Where consent is given, access to the information will be restricted.

Section 12 of the Children Act 2004 provides the legislative basis for establishing ContactPoint. ContactPoint will be made available to all local authorities in England early 2009.

If you have any queries, please email:
informationsharing@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Available to dowload from the right hand side is the Information Sharing Resource Pack

For more information click on ContactPoint: more information on right hand side.