The Information Sharing Index is intended to improve good practice and communication between agencies, particularly in relation to child protection. New regulations due to come into force by late 2008 will provide a legal framework for the operation and maintenance of the index.
Local authorities will govern access to the index. The proposed list of those who would be allowed to view it includes head teachers, police and healthcare professionals, but early years roles are not yet listed. The DfESconsultation asks if there are any other practitioner roles that should be added.
The information to be held about each child specified so far includes their name, address, gender, birthdate, an identifying number, name and address of parent/guardian/ carer, and name and address of the child's school.
Contact details of the child's GP, health visitor/school nurse, practitioners providing specialist or targeted services, and any practitioner who has raised concerns about the child, will be given.
Responses to the consultation can be made until 14 December at www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations. The DfES expects to publish the results in early 2007.
The Laming enquiry into events surrounding the death of Victoria Climbie recommended exploring the idea of a national database.
