The Children Act 2004 places additional responsibilities on local authority and partner organisations to maintain an accurate and up-to-date database of children.  Schools have an important role to play in helping to ensure that the data stored about children and young people is correct.

The Data Quality Team

The Data Quality and Integrity Team exists to improve the accuracy of the data.  As far as possible data integrity is upheld by building-in data validation routines to eliminate duplications and to reconcile the data against, for example, school census data.  There are strict protocols to regulate data amendments.
 

The Data Quality Team also provides advice and guidance for all matters relating to data quality on the MIS for schools and Local Authority (LA) staff. Data held in schools is collected automatically and is held in the Central Database. Data Quality is rigorously controlled as these data are shared with other agencies such as Connexions and Social Care services in line with the requirements for Fair Processing and in compliance with the Data Protection Act.
 

Quality control is carried out to check that the name, address and guardian details are correct and that the child’s details are matched with existing records to prevent duplication.  Incorrect or temporary UPNs are also identified.  Where possible corrected data is returned to schools for resubmission via a school’s MIS.
 

Schools have an important part to play in maintaining the accuracy of the data by ensuring that their management information systems are accurate and up-to-date.
 

Data from the Central Children's Database is matched with a national data feed and held locally for the Information Sharing Index (ISI). ISI is to be a national index of children that enables professionals working in Children’s Services to see who else may be involved with a child and flag up concerns about a child or young person’s wellbeing. The purpose of ISI is to ensure all agencies work together in the best interests of the child or young person’s welfare.
 

Further information on data quality and assistance with tracking pupils, UPNs and changes of pupil and guardians details or address may be obtained from the Data Quality Team: telephone 464 8002 or e-mail dataquality@birmingham.gov.uk.