GSS quality champions

The purpose of the quality champions network is to support statistical HoPs in their requirements under the Code of Practice for Statistics to report, maintain and improve the quality of statistics across the GSS.

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

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.

Supporting your HoP and wider department in managing, improving and reporting on quality under the Code of Practice for Statistics

This includes:

• working with your HoP and departmental colleagues to identify, understand and manage risks to quality as set out in the Code of Practice for Statistics
• acting as the main point of contact in your department for advice on quality
• ensuring your HoP and colleagues in your department are kept up to date with any developments relating to quality
• identifying where the network may be able to provide support or work together to create a support package — for example, this could include identifying where there may be gaps in guidance or if any pieces of guidance need to be updated

Enabling and supporting a two-way flow of information between the champions network and government departments

This includes:

• enabling a two-way flow of information between your department and the network to learn and support one another with mutual challenges and successes
• sharing relevant resources made available by the network with departmental colleagues
• sharing and showcasing relevant resources and experiences from your department with the network

Actively participating in the network

This includes:

• attending and actively participating in quarterly champion meetings
• raising suggestions for items of interest to be covered at champion meetings and volunteering to showcase information about work being completed in your own department – this could be work that is finished, in development, or at the ideas stage
• building links with champions in other departments to share knowledge more widely

Actively seeking continuous improvement for the network

For instance, by:

• making constructive suggestions for improvement
• communicating the benefits of the GSS Quality Champion group in your department and to your HoP
• identifying and raising hot topics

Together, the network have produced a Quality Champions Charter to help quality champions understand their role. If you would like a copy of the charter, please email the team at quality@ons.gov.uk.

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 an opportunity 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 contribution to the wider Civil Service and a significant development opportunity.

Delivery

The following activities are in scope for the quality champions network:

• 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. This includes topics such as data, management information, and modelling.

It is not the intention of the quality champions network 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 network and chairs will be through:

• Confluence, which is an online tool for working with colleagues
• quarterly meetings
• monthly informal meetings about quality

There may also be opportunities to hold workshops and events for quality champions.