Information sharing: Investigation to be held into national databases

The Information Commissioner's Office will be investigating potential data protection issues. The work is being carried out by the Foundation for Information Policy Research.

Ross Anderson, chair of the foundation, said: "The aim will be to look at the network of major children's databases and produce a neutral report so the information commissioner can work out his strategy for the area."

The foundation has until the end of March to fully complete the study, which will include an examination of policies and practice, security issues, and the issue of sharing of data and how consent is obtained. The databases currently under investigation include: the Connexions database; Ryogens (a crime-reduction and at-risk database); the Youth Offending Information System; the Youth Inclusion and Support Panels Management Information System; the Information Sharing and Assessment database; the Integrated Children's System database; and the National Pupil Database. The investigation will also cover database links, and potential "function creep" in their use, said Anderson.