SLC Leads the Way with Digital Services

The Student Loans Company (SLC) has become the only Government Agency to have two live services that have successfully passed the Government’s Digital by Default Service Standard.

26 May 2015

The Digital by Default Service Standard is a set of criteria for digital teams to meet when building government services. Under the standard, created services must be easy to improve while being safe, secure and fulfilling user needs. The standard also aims to make digital services so usable that online becomes the preferred method of transacting.

The company was the first Government Agency to meet the standard with their part-time application service, and now, with their full-time application, they are the first to achieve two live services.

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive, said:

“We are delighted to have two live services with our full-time and part-time online applications. The close working relationships our staff developed with colleagues across Government have been instrumental in assisting us to provide a safe and secure application and payment service for applicants.

“As a former Digital by Default exemplar, we continue to adapt the skills and working practices we have shared, learned and developed to provide our customers with the services they expect. Our ongoing service improvements move us steadily closer to realising our vision of becoming a digital, customer focused, centre of excellence.”

The live application services are used by students, parents and partners to apply for tuition fee and living cost loans and grants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The online applications provide an improved, streamlined and tailored experience reflected in the high levels of customer satisfaction.

Mike Beaven, Director of Transformation, Government Digital Service said:

"I believe that SLC played a key role in the Exemplar Programme in terms of actively engaging with the transformation agenda, delivering digital services to the Government Standard, achieving substantial savings and helping GDS learn the tough challenges faced by front line agencies."