What is the YorOK Child Index?

The YorOK Child Index is a managed database that helps practitioners to:

• Find out if there is any other service / organisation working with a child / young person
• Share information effectively
• Receive advice about what to do if they have a concern about a child / young person.
• Find out if Common Assessment ( CAF ) (CAF – Common Assessment Framework) has been completed

The YorOK Child Index was developed in 2004/5 in response to the Every Child Matters Change For Children agenda, specifically identifying vulnerable children and young people and helping practitioners know who else is involved. As it is not possible to predict accurately in advance who will need additional targeted and specialist services the YorOK Child Index covers all children and young people in York. Any child and young person could require additional support at any time in their childhood. The YorOK Child Index allows information to be shared quickly and is a vital part of delivering early intervention. The YorOK Child Index also allows children and young people not receiving the universal services of education and health care to be identified and appropriate action taken.

How is information on the YorOK Child Index accessed?

To access the information stored on the YorOK Child Index practitioners need to have consent from the parents/carer or if over 12 years old, the young person themselves. Practitioners wanting to use the YorOK Child Index also need to undergo a full-day training session on Integrated Working, involving the principles of information sharing. They then become Authorised users and have their own unique Personal Identification Number. Access is via the Integrated Working Team, practitioners cannot access the YorOK Child Index directly.

Check training dates and book online.

What is ContactPoint?

All children and young people should get the best possible start in life. ContactPoint aims to make services better for children and young people. It is a contacts list for people who work with children and young people. It will provide them with a quick way to find out who else is working with the same child, making it easier for them to work as a team and deliver more coordinated support.

Why it is needed

Many children and young people need extra help or support. If the people who are helping a child can find each other quickly they can find the right support at the right time. It can take a long time for a professional to find out who else is working with the same child. ContactPoint means they won’t waste time trying to find out this simple information, or duplicating work already being done by other services. This means practitioners can spend more time delivering services to children and families.

Children, young people and their families should be at the centre of what is happening, and have a say in the services and support they get.

Some key facts

ContactPoint will hold name and contact details for:

• all children in England up to their 18th birthday;
• their parents and carers; and
• services working with a child (school, doctor, plus other services such as a health visitor).

You can ask to see the information held about you, and can ask to have it corrected if something needs changing.
ContactPoint will only be used by people whose job it is to help children and young people - such as a head teacher or school nurse, a GP or a social worker. They will all have been trained and security cleared before they can use it.
ContactPoint uses the latest technology to keep it safe and up-to-date.

ContactPoint is part of the Department for Children, Schools and Families’ Every Child Matters plan. It will be introduced across England from early 2009. In York it is operated jointly by the Department and City of York council. To find out more, visit www.ecm.gov.uk/contactpoint or write to:

Integrated Working Team
Children’s Trust Unit
Mill House
North Street
York
YO1 6JD

or email the team.