ILR Data Management

During 2010, a cross-sector group advised the information authority on developing principles for good data management so that users of FE data can be assured of its quality and reliability.

The FE Data Management Group held its final meeting in November, and its outputs were endorsed by the information authority board on 01 December 2010.

These are:

• Six Data Management Principles or the FE sector - for inclusion in the ILR Specification document that will assist providers in developing consistent data reporting practices.
• Four Good Practice Principles for Funding Bodies and Agencies - these are supported by the YPLA, the Skills Funding Agency and BIS.
• FAQs on ILR completion that were raised by the sector as a result of the LSC letter.

About the FE Data Management Group

The group was made up of representatives from provider groups (HOLEX, AoC, ALP), individual providers, funding bodies (Skills Funding Agency and YPLA) and Ofsted, and chaired by Graham Jones (Chairman of the information authority board).

It was formed in response to an investigation into college individualised learner record (ILR) data undertaken by KPMG on behalf of the LSC and Ofsted, which uncovered different data management practices in some colleges that could result in inconsistent reporting.

Geoff Russell, who was then the Chief Executive of the LSC, wrote to providers at the end of 2009 drawing their attention to these findings and asking for co-operation in developing more consistent data management practices, which is what the FE Data Management Group has been working towards.

If you have any other queries regarding principles of data management, please send them to dataqueries@theia.org.uk.