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Section 12 guidance hits the streets

Posted by Mark Cheverton on February 27th, 2008 6:04 pm

S12 guidance coverIt’s great to see the information duty of the Childcare Act finally coming into its prime with the DCSF’s publication of the guidance on Section 12. What I find particularly encouraging is that there is a real attention to detail present in this guidance; ranging from the features of IT systems which would underpin the duty, to the much needed definition of the role of service directories. These practicalities should help support FIS’ when working with their IT departments to procure systems that will deliver against their business needs.

Opportunity Links has kicked off a full audit of its information systems and practices in light of the guidance to ensure ‘Section 12 Compliance’. We expect that evince will comply fully with the guidance in its current form, and that our CSD product will meet all but the more explicit definition of the management of publications, which we expect to work into this years roadmap. We were particularly excited to see that our Govtalk CSD data standard was explicitly referenced in the guidance along with one of our flagship CSD implementations at Worcestershire FIS.

What emerges clearly from the guidance is that the information duty is not about a single team, or a single technical solution, but that it requires an integrated authority-wide and multi-agency approach to delivering high-quality information to families. Technology is a key component, but with the expansion of delivery channels, such as to extended schools, a wider strategic approach encompassing face-to-face, telephone and self-service (predominantly through the web) is required, underpinned by a range of flexible technologies and services.

Many Local Authorities already have this approach in place in response to the Childcare Act itself. However, this guidance can only help strengthen the position of those still working within their organisations to establish the strategic importance of the information agenda.

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    Not sure if Opportunity Links really has clout to compete with more professional IT suppliers
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    With a widened and more integrated agenda, it is true that there is increasing overlap with heavy-hitters who are specialists in other areas such as education. However, we still feel strongly that to fully meet the requirements of the information duty, local authorities need to look to specialist suppliers who can deliver both the understanding and capability to support CIS' in the implementation of the Childcare Act. A smaller, faster company can often deliver more innovation and greater customer focus, than a larger supplier, and in a fast-moving policy landscape this should be a key concern in choosing your partners.

    We would expect that our track record of delivering the iChIS system and the CCL infrastructure at both a local and national level for many years, bears out our capability and professionalism as an IT supplier. We have been underpinning over 100 CIS' with IT infrastructure through the CCL contract and we will be maintaining the same levels of service to local authorities going forwards with evince.

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