Terms of Reference

The Data Service is the established custodian of the FE sector data architecture with responsibility for holding a comprehensive and holistic view of post-16 FE sector data.

We are responsible for driving improvements in the effectiveness and efficiency of the use of data within the post-16 sector.

Together with the information authority, the Data Service has responsibility for driving best practice standards in the use of data and information within the sector. This includes:

  • Operating and managing effectively the collection, handling and dissemination of post-16 FE data to meet the needs of providers and data users
  • Improving the efficiency of further education data collection, handling and dissemination
  • Supporting the information authority to realise the objectives of increasing quality and use of information, and minimising the burden of data collection and submission on providers
  • Implementing the data policy decisions of the information authority
  • Increasing transparency of content and processes relating to further education data collection, handling and dissemination, and improving accessibility of information

The Data Service is responsible for the collection and dissemination of learner and funding data across the sector. This includes:

  • Responsibility for assuring the quality of the data it collects, stores and disseminates
  • Access to, or ownership and / or management of sector reference databases and software e.g. Learning Aims Database (LAD), Learner Information Suite (LIS), Online Data Collection (OLDC), Data Self Assessment Toolkit (DSAT) UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP), Provider Information Management System (PIMS)
  • Responsibility to work with other Education Data Services to enable a coherent view of data across education
  • Responsibility for meeting the data quality standards set by the information authority and escalating non-compliance of data providers and data users to the information authority.

We work continuously with all parties to streamline the data collection and dissemination processes.