28 Aug 2008
The rollout of children's database Contact Point will be delayed for a second time after technical glitches emerged during testing.
The database, part of the government's Every Child Matters policy, was due to be deployed this October, but will be now not be operational until January 2009, according to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
In a letter to the chairman of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee, the parliamentary under secretary of state for children, young people and families, Kevin Brennan, said: "We have worked hard with delivery partners and other stakeholders for a long time and Contact Point is now close to deployment. However, we have identified some issues as a result of recent system tests which we are working urgently to address."
The system has been criticised over plans to allow police the right to apply for access, in order to obtain information to support prosecution and crime prevention.
"In effect it enables the police to build a list of suspects before a crime has been committed – hence the emphasis on crime prevention," said Baroness Sue Miller of the Liberal Democrats.
"This development totally undermines the purpose of Contact Point by making it children versus authority."
In the light of so many deaths of children should we not consider what access to ContactPoint can give to police and A & E staff?
If just one child is saved by professionals knowing about them sooner isn't it worth any risk?
As for the comment from the Conservatives that Contact Point could be "exploited by paedophiles" this is just scare mongering!
Posted by: Patricia Western 27 Nov 2008
Sir,
It is encouraging to read about an IT project deploying testing procedures throughout software development, especially one that has raised issues early on ("Contact Point children's database hit by delays", 28 August). There have been too many instances of failed projects that have highlighted the need for testing - the NHS IT upgrade being one very good example.
Testing software quality at every stage of the project lifecycle can be the difference between a system that adds value to an organisation or one that is riddled with problems. Testing should be an integral part of any project, ensuring that any potential problems are spotted at an early stage and allowing minor adjustments to correct the issue.
Software testing safeguards the quality of the final product, and actually reduces costs in the long term by eliminating the need for expensive post-implementation adjustments. Without adopting stringent testing procedures, software projects will invariably fail to meet business requirements and become costly and troublesome burdens for an organisation.
Yours sincerely,
Steve Gedney
Posted by: Steve Gedney, MD, Borland UK & Northern Europe 29 Aug 2008
Have your say on this article
Newsletters
Latest stories from Public Sector
Latest videos
You may also like
Public Sector jobs
Technology Patent Wars
Staff are increasingly using their personal devices for work. Productivity may increase as a result, but the trend brings with it security risks
Case studies from large organisations across all sectors
... And rich media, and flexible working, and peaks in traffic ...
Upcoming Events
Join us for this Computing web seminar, in which the Head of BI at the Co-operative Group Nick Colebourn will be explaining just how he reigned in the Group’s sprawling database estate and how significant savings were realised and data quality improved as a result.
Date: 31 May 2012
Time: 11:00 AM
Live June 13th 11:00am: Register now. During this web seminar we will be looking at the sorts of incidents that can bring data centres grinding to a halt and what can be done about them.
Date: 13 Jun 2012
Time: 11:00 am
Receive the latest jobs direct to your inbox
Are you being paid what you are worth?
