THE contact details of every child in England have been published on a new online directory.
ContactPoint has been launched nationally and is specifically designed for people who work with children, like teachers, doctors and social workers.
It contains details of every child under the age of 18 and the services working with them.
The database is now available to services on the Island.
Its main aim is to make services better for children and young people, by helping professionals who work with them find out who else in involved with the same child or young person.
Previously, the processes involved were time consuming.
Through ContactPoint, professionals can quickly determine who is working with the young person or child, enabling them to work together and provide services much quicker.
From early 2010, organisations on the Isle of Wight will begin to upload additional contact details for local services being provided to children on the Island. This will include data from the Isle of Wight Council, NHS and police.
No case information, such as medical or school records, will be uploaded.
Isle of Wight Council chief executive Steve Beynon said: "Every local authority in England is required to sign up to it.
"The system has been robustly tested and we hope it will help improve services to children and young people under the age of 18.
"The system can ensure the right support is found quickly, while ensuring work is not being duplicated by others."
• Anyone whose details are held on ContactPoint can ask to see the information under the Data Protection Act (1998), including parents and carers. The system uses the latest technology and security software and can only be used by people who have passed strict security checks.
• Some people who may be considered at risk of harm, such as victims of domestic violence who are now living in a safe place, may have parts of their details hidden, such as their address. Parents/carers can request certain information is shielded by contacting the local authority.
• More information on ContactPoint can be found at
www.dcsf.gov.uk/ecm/contactpoint or via the department for children, schools and families (DCSF) on 0870 000 2288.
• Information can also be found on Isle of Wight Council's website
www.iwight.com by typing ContactPoint into the search box on the home page.