Contact Point

[Mung]

There is currently a petition running on the government petitions website against the ContactPoint database.

Not that I can see that it will make any difference as the database is launched in Colchester in June and other areas even sooner, but it may be something you are interested in signing.

If you are not already aware of what ContactPoint is here is some info:
Contact Point will hold data of every under 18 in Britain, including name, age, doctor, address, school attended. In the current climate where Data loss/theft is a constant news story - the new database scheme is destined to leak regularly, no matter how secure it is made. No parent wants their child information leaked for a second time, following the failures at HMRC.

It is interesting that famous people will be allowed to have their children's details hidden on the database, yet when I contacted my local council to see if I could get DS and DD hidden they stated that I could request it,but it probably wouldn't happen..

click here to sign the petition and remember to respond to the automated email they send to finish the process.

Done

It is my understanding that shielding records would only happen in extreme circumstances - ie witness protection etc.

I think there are benefits from having a national database - ie if a child needs support then it means that it means they should, in theory, get the relevant support and link in with other agencies much quicker, instead of parents/carers having to repeat their story or trail round different agencies. Much more efficient and less stressful for the family.

I do agree that data protection is a risk, but even if your childs records were hidden they would be still registered, just hidden to practioners. Anyone who has access to the database is a registered user and should be abiding by a code of conduct.

So many people will have access though MissisBoot, that is my concern. I know that people should abide by codes of conduct, but the person who lost my Child Benefit details should have been more careful, as should the person who lost my NHS records.

I agree that in theory it could benefit needy children, although I have very little faith in that too...but that is sceptical old me.

I was under the impression that the shielding was for MPs and other famous people. I can understand why, as more freaks are likely to want to find out information about Madonna's kids than mine. Undercover journalists would be the first in there hunting out information, I'm sure (look at me...what other profession can I attack ).

It just scares me and I don't feel confident that my Dc's data will be kept safe. They need to find another way of protecting vulnerable children rather than making all children vulnerable.

It is scary but one positive is that you will know exactly what is on your childs' record rather than information being kept in a number of different places.

Hopefully the new Vetting and Barring system should be quite a step change in safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults.

Lets hope so, as thats all I have to cling on to at the moment.