Hampshire County Council Social Services is to replace its computer system over the next four years with a new £5.2m state-of-the-art system.

The new system, along with additional staffing requirements, has been funded from a loan from central government, a Department of Health Information for Social Care grant, and from Social Services' budget. The contract to supply and integrate the new system has been awarded to Anite Public Sector.

It should be fully operational by 2005, and according to Hampshire County Council leader Ken Thornber, is needed to ensure the department can better meet the increasing demands for an improved, modern and more efficient service for both service users and staff, as well as complying with new e-government requirements, including keeping electronic records for all clients by 2004. It will be integrated with the County Council's human resources, financial and office systems and allow information sharing with health and other partner agencies.

Councillor Ken Thornber said: "This new computer system is vital in allowing Social Services to continue to meet the growing needs of its clients. Not only will the department be able to offer an improved service to the community, but it will also assist our hard-working Social Services staff in carrying out their jobs more effectively. Under the new system, social workers will be able to access all client information from any Social Services computer, allowing them to offer a better informed and high quality service - particularly invaluable in emergency situations, and out of hours.''