Get it in! Get it right!

As you may be aware, the deadline for the final 2009/10 learner responsive data return (F05) is 22 November 2010 – Get it in! This return date is earlier than ever before. This date is a ‘hard close’, so no further returns will be accepted after 6.00pm on 22 November 2010.

A number of free tools are available from the Data Service and the information authority to help you ensure your data is accurate, pre and post-submission of your F05 return:

Pre-submission – Get it right!

Available software includes:

• the Learner Information Suite (LIS) - this can be used to validate ILR data returns, calculate derived variables, and to generate reports on LR and ER funding.
• the Data Self-Assessment Toolkit (DSAT) – this can be used to analyse final funding claims, as well as to perform additional data quality checks, including comparing different data returns for changes.
• ILR e-learning module – developed to assist provider understanding of the Individualised Learner Record (ILR).

Post-submission – Get it right!

• Post-submission of data, providers can download ILR validation reports (rule violation reports) and funding reports from the Data Collections portal. They can also download a credibility report for each submission. These reports provide key summaries on the submitted data against information authority data quality standards, along with key summaries on derived variables calculated by the Data Service.
• Enhancements to credibility reports will be available from November 2010.
• From August 2010, providers will be able to download Data Quality Dashboard Reports from the Provider Gateway. The reports, which are aimed at Data/Quality Managers, will provide dashboard views of how well the data meets the information authority data quality standards and in comparison to national, regional, local authority, and provider type averages.

For further details you can contact the Service Desk at the Data Service on 0870 2670001, or e-mail servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk.