What is a standard?

A standard defines a set of criteria, rules or guidelines to be used for common and repeated use. Standards are established by consensus and approved by a recognised body.
 

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 Why do we need the Information Standards Board (ISB)?

The ISB addresses the IT strategy agenda. It will provide governance arrangements for information standards across the education, skills and children’s services (escs) system. By reducing bureaucracy and creating more joined up services, the ISB will produce real benefits for learners, financial savings for developers, and time savings for users. These savings should ensure that more resources are available on the front line for children and learners rather than being used on bureaucracy.

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 Why do we need system-wide information standards?

System-wide information standards will bring a wide range of benefits across the escs. By implementing common standards across the system, we can reduce the implementation time and costs of developing and delivering programmes and solutions for the system, thereby increasing value for money. If data can be created once and used many times in the same format across the system, we can reduce operational costs. Common standards will benefit developers by creating a more open and competitive market for software and applications. Outcomes for learners and children can be enhanced as system wide standards will enable the creation of innovative and high-value online services.

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 What kind of standards will the ISB cover?

The ISB will not develop standards, but approve those which have already been developed. Only those standards which will have benefits for the whole escs systems will be approved. The ISB will cover standards including those for, but not limited to:

  • vocabularies
  • metadata
  • data collections and statistics
  • e-learning content
  • collaboration
  • assessment and qualifications

Standards approved by the Information Standards Board can be found in the Standards Library tab.

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 What authority does the ISB have?

Although it is not a non-departmental public body (NDPB), the ISB has ministerial authority to approve standards for the system. It also has the authority of its partners, who have signed a partnership agreement.  

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 Who is the ISB accountable to and how will its success be measured?

The ISB will work across the sectors covered by the Department for Education (DfE) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). However as it is hosted by the DfE, the ISB and its chairman are accountable to senior officials and ministers within the DfE and BIS. Its success will be measured against the objectives set out in the business plan for each financial year. At the end of each financial year, an annual report outlining the achievements for that year will be published.

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 Will the ISB be issuing guidance to teachers, care workers and other professionals dealing with children? If so, what will the expected impact on their responsibilities and workload be?

No, not directly. Standards for professionals are outside the remit of the ISB, although guidance may be issued. The DfE will continue to develop and issue professional standards as appropriate and deliver them through various policy agendas.

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 What is the scope of the ISB?

The ISB will be responsible for standards across the education, skills and children’s services (escs) system in England. It is intended to be the system-wide authority for all information and data standards that support the information strategy.

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 How can you ensure the independence of the ISB if it is sponsored by the DfE and BIS?

Although the ISB is sponsored by the DfE and BIS, the majority of its members are drawn from outside these organisations to ensure that the views of the escs sector as a whole are considered. The make up of members will ensure the independence of the ISB. We have appointed an independent chair who will ensure that the views of all parties are reflected and that the ISB operates for the benefit of the whole system. A number of standards champions drawn from a range of partner organisations across the system will take the lead on specific standards. The technical support service will be provided by a third party independent of the DfE and BIS.

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 How will the ISB publish its decisions?

Decisions taken by the ISB will be published on its website and also in its annual report. It will also inform the cross-government CIO council of its decisions through presentations. 

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 How can you be sure that there is support from the industry for the ISB?

The consultation on the e-strategy showed that there is a desire from suppliers to collaborate in this area for mutual benefit. Developers will need to adhere to the standards approved by the ISB in order to be able to sell their products in the education, skills and children’s services (escs) market. We will create a more competitive market and therefore more opportunities for developers. The Department is committed to a voluntary approach, but we may consider a compliance regime if necessary.

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 How will the ISB fit in with cross-government developments in this area?

The ISB is currently establishing working relationships with other standards bodies across the public sector, such as the ISB for Health and Social Care (ISB HaSC) and the local e-government standards board (L-eGSB). Together with these two boards, the ISB has set up a pan-public sector standards group.

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