This year Wigan Council, along with other local authorities across the country, will introduce a new government-backed computer program that will make it easier for those who work with children to do exactly that.
Called ContactPoint, the system is a computer-based phonebook that will help people who work with children to quickly find out who else is working with the same child.
This will give them the chance to work as a team and make sure the child gets the help they need, whatever the problem may be.
Wigan Council’s Executive Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Nick Hudson, says: “This system will help us all to have a more co-ordinated approach towards safeguarding and supporting children.
“It will help professionals contact you and each other quickly if a child needs support. If everyone working with a child knows about each other it means they can make sure they get the right support quickly and work together.
“This means that a family won’t have to explain the same thing many different times, which we know can be distressing.
“Also it means that people working with a child will not be duplicating each others’ work.”
Nick adds: “We believe that children, young people and families should always be at the centre of what is going on and have a say in the services and support they get. ContactPoint should make this easier.”
What information will be on ContactPoint?
ContactPoint will only hold simple information such as name, address, date of birth and gender of every child in England up to the age of 18. It will also include the names and contact details of the parents or carers along with their school and doctor’s surgery and the details of other professionals working with the child, if any.
It will NOT contain potentially sensitive information such as doctor’s notes or school records.
Nick Hudson says: “ContactPoint will only be used by people whose job it is to help children and young people, such as a headteacher, a school nurse or youth worker.
“It will meet tough security standards and be regularly checked. Before anyone can use it they must be trained and have passed strict security tests.”
ContactPoint is part of the government’s Every Child Matters plan, which all councils follow. It will be introduced across England from early 2009.
Children and young people or parents and carers acting on their behalf can see the information held about them and ask to have it corrected if something needs changing.
For further information and examples of how ContactPoint will help improve services go to: ContactPoint (external link)
or write to:
The Media and Communications Team (ContactPoint), Wigan Council, Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1YN. Telephone – 01942 828002 or email: Media and Communications Team
