Written question asked by James Duddridge (Conservative) on Monday, 21 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 October 2008. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 6 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Children: Databases

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 25 June 2008, Official Report, columns 25-27WS, on data handling procedures, if he will commission a privacy impact assessment for the ContactPoint database.

Answer: We have no plans to commission a privacy impact assessment for the ContactPoint project which is currently in testing phase. Our preferred approach is to continue our ongoing engagement with the Information Commissioner's Office and with children, young people, parents and carers both at a national and a local level, to ensure that any concerns about privacy are addressed and that the benefits that ContactPoint will bring are fully explained.It is important that children, young people and their families have confidence in the way ContactPoint protects their privacy. That is why the data held on ContactPoint will be minimal to enable it to fulfil its purpose - to provide a quick and easy way for practitioners to find out who else is working with the same child.ContactPoint will contain no case information—for example, school attainment records or medical case notes—nor will it include subjective opinions, comments or observations about a child or their parents.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 222189; 480 c473-4W
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Data Handling Procedures
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: Children Databases
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk