Children's Services
ContactPoint
ContactPoint will be the quick way to find out who else is working with the same child or young person, making it easier to deliver more coordinated support.
This basic online directory will be available to authorised staff who need it to do their jobs. It is a key part of the Every Child Matters programme and the Children's Plan, to improve the health, well-being and safety of all children.
If practitioners working with a child know about each other they can find the right support quickly, before problems get more serious.
Information held on ContactPoint
ContactPoint holds the following basic information for all children in England (up until their 18th birthday):
- Name, address, gender, date of birth and a unique identifying number
- Name and contact details for a child's parent(s) or carer(s)
- Contact details for services working with a child: as a minimum, educational setting (for example school) and GP practice
- Contact details for other service providers where appropriate (for example a health visitor or social worker) and whether a practitioner is a lead professional and if they have undertaken an assessment under the Common Assessment Framework
Please note: These are not currently held on the system - they will be added over time.
Those providing a sensitive service (for example sexual health, mental health and substance abuse) will need consent from the child or young person (or their parent or carer where appropriate) before recording their contact details on ContactPoint. Where they are recorded, only an indication of an unspecified service would be visible.
Consent will also be required for care leavers or those with learning difficulties to remain on ContactPoint up to age 25, to facilitate the transition to adult services.
ContactPoint does not and will never hold:
- Any assessment or case information
- Details such as birth weight, exam results, medical records, or diet
- Subjective information about a child or their parent(s) or carer(s)
The information that can be held on ContactPoint is limited by law as provided by Section 12 of the Children Act 2004 and the supporting Regulations.
Who will access ContactPoint?
Access to ContactPoint is strictly limited to trained practitioners who need it to do their job. This will include those working in education, health, social care, youth justice and some voluntary organisations.
Before they are granted access, all users will have completed mandatory ContactPoint training and other relevant training (for example information sharing).
They must have security clearance, including enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure, and will need a username, a PIN, a security token and a password. Access will be audited and monitored.
How will ContactPoint be accessed?
Authorised users will be able to access ContactPoint in 3 ways:
- A secure web link
- Some existing case management systems
- Another authorised user (where appropriate IT is unavailable)
Wherever possible, ContactPoint will be automatically updated from existing systems, avoiding the need for practitioners to enter information on a separate system.
It will not be possible for an authorised user to access case management systems, or to see case data held by another agency, on ContactPoint.
Security
Security is a top priority and there are significant security measures in place. ContactPoint has undergone many levels of testing and design review, and meets recognised assurance levels for security. The government has an ongoing commitment to security and regular testing will be carried out.
Important documents and links
ContactPoint factsheet 
PDF 174K
Department for Children, Schools and Families website|
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