ContactPoint

ContactPoint was previously known by the working title of the 'Information Sharing Index'. It is a tool to help practitioners to work together to meet the needs of children, young people and their families.

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 co-ordinated support. It is expected to be available in Kent in mid 2009.

ContactPoint will be a secure national online directory, available to authorised staff who need it to do their jobs. It will hold the following basic information for all children in England:

• Name, address, gender, date of birth and an identifying number of all children in England (up to their 18th birthday);
• Name and contact details for:
  - parents or carers
  - educational setting e.g. school
  - primary medical practitioner e.g. GP or health visitor
  - other services
• A facility to indicate if a child has a lead professional or that a child has a Common Assessment (the assessment itself will not be held on ContactPoint).

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.

Additional information:

• ContactPoint Factsheet
• ContactPoint FAQs and ContactPoint FAQs for Young People
• Every Child Matters website (this link will open in a new window)

Please contact ContactPointqueries@kent.gov.uk if you have any enquiries.