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The issue of good quality records is not exclusive to the implementation of ContactPoint, however the project is leading to better understand its importance.
Good quality information is one of the critical success factors for the ContactPoint. It will influence how acceptable ContactPoint is to the general public. Critically, practitioners who will use the system will need to trust it and feel confident that the information is accurate. Incorrect or out of date information will cause frustration and inconvenience. In a small, but significant number of cases, inaccurate data may put children and young people at serious risk.
ContactPoint will be unique because it will rely upon records taken from existing data systems. ContactPoint will match up the records from many systems to give a fuller picture of the organisations involved with a child. Records that contain errors will not match up so this information is less valuable to ContactPoint users.
It is important that all practitioners, managers and administrators understand the link between good record keeping and the eventual quality of information available from ContactPoint.
Locally data is now being prepared for the launch of ContactPoint in Gateshead in early in 2009. Tests show that there are likely to be errors in the records held by every organisation. With the help and support of all practitioners and managers we can improve the information held in our systems. This process will this help us meet our Data Protection Act obligations, help get our records in good shape to save us time, energy and frustration and to meet our inspection needs. It will also ensure that Gateshead will be ready to go live with ContactPoint in February 2009.
Traditionally, data quality improvements have been regarded as “behind the scenes” tasks. Technicians, administrators and data managers have tried to make improvements largely without involving those who collected the information in the first place.
Very few practitioners and practitioner managers appreciate that they too can help to improve data quality but with the right information they can be supported to develop a good understanding of the role they can play in maintaining good quality records.
Managers are being sent copies of the leaflet Making information work for you! - Safeguarding Children, Young People and Families for distribution to their teams. It is designed to help support and inform Gateshead practitioners and managers about their role in improving and maintaining a high standard of record keeping.
Also available to download is a copy of the Pin up guide
A very short PowerPoint presentation is available to all managers for use as a staff briefing aid. If you would like a copy of this presentation please contact us at informationsharingimplementationteam@gateshead.gov.uk
or telephone Sandra Sproates 0191 433 3829.