The Vulnerable People's System (VPS) will pull together information from existing databases with the aim of enabling agencies to react more quickly to risks.
Unlike England's ContactPoint children's system, the VPS will cover vulnerable adults as well as children. By 2010 it will allow police forces to share information electronically, and from 2011 it will be available to health and social work organisations through incorporation into eCare, the Scottish Government's electronic information sharing framework.
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) will be responsible for developing the system, along with Scotland's police authority and consultants. Acpo will also providing funding of £500,000, in addition to £1m from the Scottish government.
According to the Scottish Government the system, which will be based on the existing police ViSOR (Violent and Sex Offender Register), will cut unnecessary paperwork, speed up information sharing and allow police officers attending incidents to assess the vulnerability of those involved.
"It is imperative that we continue to ensure quick, effective support is put in place for vulnerable people," said education secretary Fiona Hyslop. "That means agencies working together and enabling information sharing - centred on the child or vulnerable person - is at the heart of that.
"Ensuring the latest intelligence is available to professionals quickly and securely puts them in the best position to get support to those who need it, when they need it."
Harriet Dempster, vice president of the Association of Directors of Social Work in Scotland, said: "Although electronic transfer will not happen overnight this announcement represents a significant landmark and will assist in the roll out of the government policy Getting it Right for Every Child, an approach designed to streamline systems and processes to promote effective joint working.
"It will, when operational, remove the need for photocopying and faxing paper work to enable speedy exchange of key information and at the same time release front line staff to do more direct work."
