Data Management policy

Introduction

Our Data Management Policy is published in accordance with the requirements set out in the Protocol on Data Management, Documentation and Preservation.

It applies to all our National Statistics, whether obtained from administrative or statistical sources, and howsoever published. The policy also applies to any associated metadata or documentation.

Responsibility for the day-to-day implementation of this Data Management policy and for the stewardship of each of the Department's National Statistics data holdings is vested in a number of trained, identifiable and accountable Data Managers who will work under the overall direction of the Department's Chief Statistician.

Their responsibilities are to ensure that DCMS manages its data resources in accordance with:

• the best practice principles and standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice and its supporting Protocols;
• the Statements and Policies within this Compliance Statement; and
• the Department's statutory obligations.
  

Data Managers are also responsible for:

·        compiling and maintaining metadata to cover the whole life-cycle of each of the statistical resources they manage, using the standard metadata reporting system currently used by the Government Statistical Service (GSS) – the contents of which can be accessed via the National Statistics website – and adopting any new GSS system once developed;

·        guarding the integrity and security of their data holdings in accordance with the department's overall policies on security and business continuity

·        archiving their resources in line with the department's overall policy on data retention, preservation, and destruction

Data Managers' duties will evolve to match the development of each of the systems and policies described above. 

Back to Compliance Statements overview