Briefing: Crib sheet - Information sharing

What's happened to the information sharing database that Every ChildMatters referred to? ContactPoint is the database's new name and it isdue to launch next year. While the Government gathers together theidentifying information it already has on each child in England fromexisting databases, it's also consulting on guidance for those who willmanage and use the database.

And who will that be? Section 12 of the Children Act 2004 places a dutyon local authorities to establish and operate databases to shareinformation. What is included is defined in law as: the child's name,address, gender and date of birth; an identifying number; name anddetails of any person with parental responsibility or day-to-day care;educational establishment (or early years provider); details of primaryhealth provider; and the name and contact details of anyone providingservices to the child (though the details of sensitive services will behidden from view). The guidance is written for users, their managers andrelevant local authority staff. There's a full list of who this may bein a glossary.