Controversial child database goes live

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 18 May 2009 at 11:43

A database that holds the details of every child in Britain has swung into operation.

The ContactPoint database is designed to help childcare professionals monitor vulnerable children, and was introduced in the wake of the Victoria Climbie case.

However, deep fears remain over the security of the database, which been delayed twice for security reasons.

Almost 400,000 people will have access to the database, which a 2007 report from auditors Deloitte and Touche said could never be 100% secure. "It should be noted that risks can only be managed, not eliminated, and therefore there will always be the risk of security incidents occuring," the auditors claimed.

The Government insists that all staff accessing the database will be given security training. Nevertheless, the details of 51,000 highly vulnerable children will be masked on the system, amid fears that details of their whereabouts could be compromised.

ContactPoint was one of the 11 Government databases described as "almost certainly illegal under human rights or data protection law" by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust in March.

The organisation called for the database to be scrapped or substantially redesigned.