Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Hodge of Barking (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the purpose is of the Integrated Children's System.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the purpose is of the Integrated Children's System. [195338] Margaret Hodge: The Integrated Children's System is intended to improve outcomes for children in need. The ICS is a national framework for Councils with Social Services Responsibilities' (CSSRs') to support their work with children in need and their families that provides a single approach for assessment, planning, intervention and reviewing based on an understanding of children's developmental needs in the context of their families and communities. The information gathered in the course of working with children and their families is recorded by social services. These records have traditionally been paper-based although a growing number of councils have electronic record keeping systems in place. As part of implementing the integrated children's system, social service records will all be kept electronically, replacing paper-based systems. The ability to record, retrieve and analyse information contained within electronic social services records will enable better assessments and more effective interventions for children in need than exists at present. It will also ensure consistent and comprehensive case records kept on individual children.

Secondary information