A database that will contain the personal details of every child in the UK under the age of 18 was launched today, despite ongoing concerns about security and privacy.

Around 800 staff in 17 local authorities in the North West, which includes social workers, health professionals and head teachers, plus national voluntary sector partners, Barnardo's and KIDS now have access to Contactpoint.

The database is designed to allow professionals such as social workers, doctors and teachers to share information on young people and prevent vulnerable children from falling into the gaps between different services. However, privacy groups and opposition parties have called for the database to be scrapped.

The controversial £224m system has been delayed three times for security reviews and technical glitches, including problems over the way details of an estimated 55,000 vulnerable children were shielded.

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said: “Over the past four months important and careful work has been going on to build Contactpoint. It is excellent progress and the first frontline workers will be able to use the online directory, start getting the benefits from it and ensure we can continue to learn from their early experiences.

“If we are to do our best to make sure children are protected and that no child slips through the net, then it’s crucial the right agencies are involved at the right time and get even better at sharing information.

"Contactpoint is vital for this because it will enable frontline professionals to see quickly and easily who else is in contact with a child."

The Government said the 17 early adopter local authorities - together with Barnardo’s and KIDS – now have trained management teams in place who manage the quality of data on Contactpoint in their local areas and train frontline users.