DDSF Project 1a Standard Safeguarding Dataset User Research Synthesis Led by local authorities with support from the ADCS, DfE, Ofsted, and DLUHC, we're working to help LAs make better use of data in children's services Last updated: 6th June 2023 Summary of UR process • User research started in March – now completed. • 17, hour-long, 121 sessions. • 3 workshops (35+ attendees). • Questionnaire (open invitation via D2I newsletter). • Included LA analysts, senior leaders, ADCS, CSC workers, academics, charities, system suppliers and Government depts. Report key Headline findings. Paraphrased comments from UR contributors. Commentary and analysis by the project’s research/design teams. Themes There are many positives about current collections • Current data collections/publications are felt to be useful, particularly rates per 10k of headline measures (contributors talked about using a ‘spine’ of key measures to aid decision making). • The data is used by a wide range of professionals – not just local authorities – but also academics, charities etc. LAs use the published aggregates in benchmarking exercises, while researchers can apply to access disaggregated data. • Having access to historical benchmarking data is seen as a useful tool in decision making and quite unique in local government, with other service areas not felt to be as data rich. • Some contributors commented about ways the publications could be more useful (examples given include suppression making analysis difficult, and an inability to stratify published data). • Lead times for changes to case management systems can be significant – often at least 12-24 months – contributors felt this has been handled well in main stat return changes where DfE have long lead times/consultations/Star Chamber sign-off pro