The project issues
Sefton’s Children’s Services department has initiated the Single Child Record programme with a number of projects to provide access to consolidated children’s information held in different management information systems. One project, B2B Implementation of Student Data, was designed to transfer core pupil data from all Sefton schools to the Children’s Services department.

Socitm Consulting was asked to help kick off the project and to provide expert guidance on the business process re-engineering required.

The Socitm Consulting solution
We approached the project in three stages. First, we established the state of readiness for the transfer by auditing the schools’ data and connecting infrastructure. We consulted key stakeholders on their information management processes and needs and undertook a review of other local authorities to assess their methods and experiences of implementing B2B. We also compiled a Data Validation Rules & Best Practice Guide to define business rules for maintaining the quality of data between the two systems.

The benefits to the client
With our expertise in information management, business process change and systems implementation, we were able to help the Council to undertake a key project within its Single Child Record programme. As a result, effectively owned and managed pupil data can be efficiently transferred across the entire school network to the LEA, providing key staff with accurate and timely information on an ongoing basis. The project now continues using internal resources.

Project identification
Client organisation: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Client contact: Wayne Leatherbarrow, e-Services Manager, Children’s Services, 0151 934 3090, wayne.leatherbarrow@cs.sefton.gov.uk
Lead consultant: upendra.patel@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 5909