A PLAN to hold details of every child in England on an electronic database were under threat last night after concerns were raised about its legality and security.

The Information Commissioner said that the database, known as the Information Sharing Index, could contravene data protection laws because parents will not be given a say over whether information on it can be passed to a third party and to whom it can be passed.

Although the Government has repeatedly emphasised that the database will include every child, not only those thought to be at risk, it also emerged last night that the Government plans to allow some children to be opted out.

In a debate in the House of Lords in March, Lord Adonis, the Education Minister, said: “Children who have a reason for not being traced — for example, where there is a threat of domestic violence or where the child has a celebrity status — will be able to have their details concealed.”

His comments, which went unreported at the time, are bound to raise concerns about the integrity of the scheme.

Up to 400,000 social workers, and other professionals will have access to the database, which was set up in response to the Victoria Climbié child abuse inquiry. The purpose of the index is to allow public service professionals to share information about children they believe to be at risk of harm.

The index will not contain any details of alleged abuse or harm. Instead teachers, social workers and health professionals will be able to place a flag or marker by the name of any child they have concerns about. They will then be able to see if others have done the same and, if so, will be able to contact them directly to discuss concerns. The database will be accessible only by using a PIN and a pass word.

In a report leaked to the 30 Minutes programme on Channel 4, the Information Commissioner expressed concern that the index will breach data protection laws because parents will have no say over the passing on of information about their children.

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said that Lord Adonis had said that the children of celebrity parents, or the children of violent parents, could have their address removed if the police thought it appropriate.

“There will be extremely strict controls,” the spokesman said. “No one other than practitioners will be able to access information, which will be minimal and is about allowing practitioners to make contact with each other when necessary.”

• 30 Minutes, Friday 7.35pm, Channel 4

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