GSS quality champions

Purpose

The purpose of the quality champions network is to support statistical Heads of Profession (HoP) in their requirements under the Code of Practice for Statistics to report, maintain and improve the quality of statistics across the Government Statistical Service (GSS).

The network provides crucial links both across government departments and with the Data Quality Hub. Through sharing knowledge and best practice across the GSS, the network helps to ensure that the GSS produces high quality statistics.

A specific aim of the quality champions network is to help deliver the GSS Quality Strategy, including promoting innovative methods, ensuring data is of sufficient quality and implementing reproducible analysis.

The work of the quality champions network applies across all statistical products, datasets and data tables produced and published across the GSS, either regularly or irregularly.

Roles and responsibilities

To share best practice in my department by

• ensuring my HoP and colleagues within my department are kept up to date with quality guidance and any other developments relating to quality
• acting as the central point of contact within my department for advice on quality
• considering producing internal guidance documents on quality for my department – the Data Quality Hub have many examples of these from across the GSS which can be shared

To support my HoP in ensuring delivery of the GSS Quality Strategy within my department by

• working with my HoP and consult with all GSS members in my department to produce an action plan outlining what activities will take place in my department to achieve the GSS aims within the strategy
• working with my HoP to provide biannual updates to the Data Quality Hub on these actions to enable progress of the strategy to be tracked

To identify areas where support is needed from the Data Quality Hub by:

• working with my HoP to identify any quality issues with new data sources and review the approach to quality reporting and quality assurance within my department
• seeking support from the Data Quality Hub in these areas where it is needed

The following support can be provided by the Data Quality Hub:

• training courses on quality
• consultancy service

To attend quality champion network meetings and share best practice by:

• attending and actively participate in quarterly champion meetings
• submitting an agenda item or presenting at the quarterly champion meeting to showcase developments or practice in my department relating to quality or to discuss a challenge
• building links with champions in other departments to share knowledge

Membership

The group membership will consist of representatives from departments across the GSS who are responsible for statistical inputs and outputs.

To be a quality champion, you need to commit to the role outlined on this page. This may require you to get permission from your line manager or HoP.

Benefits

The network is for the benefit of the GSS and all users of government statistics.

The main benefit to statistical producers is an increase in compliance with the quality aspects of the Code of Practice for Statistics. High quality statistics build trust in our statistics and in us as statistical producers and inform sound policy decisions for the public good.

The quality champions network provides a space for champions to share their experience, learn from others and support the wider analytical community. On a personal level, being a quality champion is a great corporate objective as it is an important “big picture” contribution to the civil service and a significant development opportunity.

Scope

In scope:

• Advising and encouraging teams responsible for statistical outputs to follow the quality principles in the Code of Practice for Statistics
• Promoting best practice
• Facilitating discussion and knowledge sharing
• Building links across departments

In addition to statistical outputs quality champions will need oversight of a variety of products which form part of the statistical process, including data, management information, modelling etc.

Out of scope:

• Enforcement of the Code of Practice for Statistics

It is not the intention of the quality champions network to seek to enforce compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. Instead the network aims to promote good practice and offer support and advice to make compliance easier to achieve.

Communication

The primary form of communication between the Data Quality Hub and the quality champions will be through email correspondence, quarterly meetings, and quarterly updates. There may also be opportunities to hold workshops and events for quality champions.

Charter

The Data Quality Hub have produced a Quality Champions Charter to help quality champions to understand their role. Email DQHub@ons.gov.uk if you would like a copy of this.

If you would like an e-mail contact for a champion please email DQHub@ons.gov.uk.

You may find the following resources helpful:

• guidance on quality
• training courses on quality in statistics