The assessments of the controversial ContactPoint database at the “early adopter” local authorities will remain secret, it has been revealed.

In a written Parliamentary answer, the children’s minister Beverley Hughes said ContactPoint assessments are internal documents and not intended for publication.

“The monthly assessments are undertaken by local authorities and are project documents internal to the local authorities themselves. Local authorities provide the information to the department on the basis that it will be used to enable the department to assess progress, provide targeted support where necessary and to share good practice. It is not collected for the purpose of publication. The assessments are not intended or designed for publication,”

I understand internal project documentation is unlikely to be published without a fight. However, this concerns the safety of our children, so surely we have a right to know if there are any concerns with the operation of this database before it is rolled out nationwide?