ContactPoint / Information Sharing

ContactPoint (England)

ContactPoint is "an online directory, available to authorised staff who need it to do their jobs, enabling the delivery of coordinated support for children and young people. It is also vital to help safeguard children; and to ensure that the right agencies are involved at the right times, so children do not slip through the net.

"ContactPoint is a quick way for practitioners to find out who else is working with the same child or young person, making it easier to deliver coordinated support.

"It is a key element of the Every Child Matters (ECM) programme, to transform children’s services by supporting effective prevention and early intervention. The programme’s goal is to improve the health, well-being and safety of all children." (DCSF)

The Department has written to directors of children’s services on next steps for ContactPoint and guidance on interim operations: "The Government has made clear its intention to end ContactPoint as soon as is practicable. In the meantime, while ContactPoint remains in use, its operations will be scaled down. This letter provides guidance for local authorities and other partners about interim operations. It also outlines the new direction…"