Children's Services

Joint Information Link (JIL) - Register a child with disabilities

This information is for you if you are a parent or carer of a child with a disability.  If you would like the information in a leaflet with larger print, please contact the Joint Information Link Co-ordinator.

What is the Joint Information Link?

The Joint Information Link (JIL) is a record of children who have mild, moderate, severe or profound disabilities in the county of Hampshire.  It does not include Portsmouth or Southampton, which have their own registers.  The information is held on a database by Hampshire Children's Services and can also be accessed by the Health Service.

The JIL can store information about your child's disability and their individual needs.  It can also contain the name of your child, date of birth, address, family GP and the school he/she attends.

The name "Joint Information Link" was chosen by a group of parents who felt that it described what the service is.  They wanted to move away from the unfriendly word "register".

Why do we need a Joint Information Link?

The Children Act 1989 required that all local authorities set up a register for disabled children.  Hampshire developed a register in 1993, but over the years it became obvious that a joint register would benefit all the agencies that work with your child - Children's Services and the National Health Service.  Parents continually say to us, "Why can't you talk to each other?"  "Why can't you share information?"

The JIL enables us to co-ordinate services for children with disabilities, and work together with families to plan and provide better services for the future.

The JIL will help us to identify when a child is:

  • of an age when they may be eligible for a Blue Car Badge, e.g. for parking, so that we can alert our colleagues who deal with these badges
  • eligible to receive a yellow card which will briefly describe their disability, under the Disabled Persons Act.  This yellow card can give evidence of their eligibility to access certain equipment and adaptations..  (To apply for a yellow card, please visit your nearest Area Office.)

The JIL will also provide the following benefits:

  • each parent or carer whose child is on the database will receive a copy of the Pinpoint publication, which gives details about services available in the county - statutory and voluntary services - and how these can be accessed.  This is updated approximately every eighteen months
  • help us to ensure that we make more effective transition plans for those young people who are likely to need support into adulthood
  • enable us to identify gaps in services for children with disabilities and their families
  • help us to decide which services will be required in the future, for both children and adults.

Within the first year we are hoping that the JIL will allow you to:

  • contribute to service development by giving us your thoughts and opinions
  • enable us to keep you up to date about new developments in services, changes to legislation, etc.

How can I put my child's name on the Joint Information Link?

You can choose to put your child's name on the JIL if you are resident in Hampshire or registered with a Hampshire GP.  If you're not a resident of Hampshire, some of these benefits may not apply.

You can apply in several ways:

For newly diagnosed children it could be when your child is first diagnosed with a disability, the Health Visitor (or sometimes the Consultant Paediatrician or your GP) will ask you whether you would like your child's name to go on the JIL.  You can download an application form here:

If your child was diagnosed some time ago, you can:

Young people, under 18 years, who are able to decide for themselves can ask for their name to be placed on the JIL.

You can ask for your child's name to be placed on the JIL at any time up to the time they are 18 years of age.

You can also ask for your child's name to be removed from the JIL if that is your wish.  Young people who are able to decide for themselves can also choose not to have their names on the JIL, and can request that their names be removed.  In these circumstances please contact the JIL Co-ordinator.

Confidentiality of information

The JIL is subject ot the Data Protection Act 1998.  This means that only relevant staff working in Children's Services or the National Health Service will have access to the information.  When you complete the application form for your child's name to go on the JIL, please also sign and return the enclosed Sharing Information Form.  For your convenience this is on the back of the application form.  This gives your consent for any of the agencies to look at the information on the JIL.  No other organisation will see this information.

Must my child be on the Joint Information Link before they can receive services?

No - putting your child's name on the JIL is purely voluntary.  If you decide not to, this will not prevent you from receiving any services your child has been assessed as needing.

But don't forget - the more children whose names are on the JIL, the better equipped we will be to improve services for children and their families.

Further information

Click here for frequently asked questions about the JIL.

If you would like further information on the JIL, or if you have any queries, please contact:

Joint Information Link Co-ordinator
Children's Services Department
Hampshire County Council
The Castle
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 8UG

Tel 01962 846123

E-mail:  joint.information.link@hants.gov.uk