To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families the children of which groups of people will be excluded from having their details on ContactPoint; and if he will make a statement. (232241)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: ContactPoint will hold basic identifying information on all children in England until they reach 18. In the case of young people with learning disabilities or those leaving care, the record can be retained up to the age of 25, with their consent.

Children visiting England for their or their families’ holidays will not be recorded on ContactPoint. Provision has been made for the retention of a child’s record on ContactPoint for up to three years if they leave England with the full intention to return. This is to ensure that, for example, the records of children of service personnel or diplomats are not lost from the system when they are posted outside England with their family.