The Times has learnt that permission to use the Information Sharing Index has been extended beyond social workers, doctors and teachers to include a wide range of civil servants and children’s services.

Any voluntary group that provides services to local authorities or primary care trusts can apply for access, as can local education authority officials. The huge number of accredited users will be challenged by children’s charities.

Government officials say that access will be tightly patrolled. Authorised users will have to apply for an access number before using the system and tell their local authority why they need access.

The Information Sharing Index will be available in 2008 and will contain details of every child in England and Wales.

Ministers say that details on all families are needed so that children’s services can contact one another. Details held will include name, address, school, GP details, and other medical, educational or children’s services in contact with the child.

The decision to set up the database was made after the inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbié in 2000, which uncovered communication problems between schools, social workers and GPs.

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