The technical specification for ContactPoint (previously known by the working title of Information Sharing Index) does not include the capacity to store biometric data.
ContactPoint will only hold basic identifying information about a child and contact details for parents, carers and practitioners who are providing services to a child. This will enable practitioners quickly to identify a child and to see who else is involved, making it easier to deliver more co-ordinated support.
This intention is clearly specified in section 12 of the Children Act 2004 and in the draft regulations on which we consulted between September and December 2006. Subject to the will of Parliament, we intend the regulations to be in place by the summer recess.