Tim Loughton MP, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Children and Families, has today laid a Written Ministerial Statement to inform Parliament that ContactPoint will be shut down on 6 August. The Government is continuing to consider the feasibility of a more proportionate approach to supporting frontline professionals to help protect vulnerable children from harm.
Tom Jeffery, Director-General, Children and Families Directorate, has today written a letter to Directors of Children’s Services and Chief Executives of ContactPoint National Partners to confirm the closure of ContactPoint. The letter sets out the timetable for shut down and decommissioning, provides guidance for local authorities, National Partners and other partners on the activities they need to undertake, and confirms funding and other support available during this period. The letter also outlines the Government’s proposed approach to developing a possible signposting service targeted at vulnerable children.
Local Authorities are responsible for ensuring local partner organisations, users and suppliers receive appropriate communications, including written notice of ContactPoint closure.
Action required
ContactPoint will be shutdown on 6 August. Guidance and a timeline of national and local responsibilities can be found in Annex A of the letter from Tom Jeffery, which sets out activities both before and after the system is shutdown.
Contact details
Sheila Longstaff
Telephone: 020 7340 7090
Email: sheila.longstaff@education.gsi.gov.uk
