On May 18th 2021, the UK Government published its response to the consultation on the National Data Strategy (NDS) and next steps for making the UK a world leading data economy. Outlined are five key priority ‘missions’ that underpin the delivery of the strategy, including a commitment to transforming government use of data, in order to improve public services.

The NDS makes recommendations for dealing with cultural challenges and technical barriers, often experienced by stakeholders when trying to achieve a standardised, consistent approach to data use. Within policing, issues around data availability and interoperability are not uncommon, as well as access to the right skills to respond to an increasing demand for transparency and accountability. The strategy proposes actions to improve data quality, availability and interoperability for those working in public sector.

The Office for National Statistics plays a key role here, acting as a leading delivery partner on a number of initiatives for the NDS. The DQ Hub, based at the ONS, provides ongoing support and training for stakeholders to ensure their data is fit for purpose, a key challenge identified by respondents to the NDS. Other policies mentioned include the Integrated Data Programme and Reference Data Management Framework, which allow for secure data sharing across government departments and public sector bodies to improve decision-making.

In line with these key policies, last month the ONS announced a new method for counting knife-enabled crimes in England and Wales. To improve data quality the Home Office, together with police forces, has developed the National Data Quality Improvement Service (NDQIS), a computer-assisted classification tool which reviews records involving a knife or sharp instrument.

NDQIS- a new methodology

NDQIS automates the process of classifying crimes through codifying human decision-making into rule sets based on Home Office classifications. As well as reducing their exposure to potentially distressing data, NDQIS offers data stewards quantifiable benefits in time saved reviewing crime records. Whilst human intervention is still required to review certain classifications, the automation means that detecting and fixing data quality checks is a much faster operation.

For respondents who called for more common data standards and governance performed via APIs, NDQIS offers a solution- greater standardisation allows for more consistent categorisation of crimes and improved comparability between forces. Over 90% of surveyed police forces expressed interest in further investment in cloud infrastructure and technology this year, indicating a need for flexible, secure data sharing. The enhanced infrastructure of NDQIS allows for secure cloud implementation for each force submitting data for regulatory reporting, whilst encrypting highly sensitive information from anyone not authorized to view the data.

Tech remedies for data stewards

The NDS comments that ‘data driven technologies are fundamental for improving public services’ and the NDQIS is just one example of how tools can help tackle the complex data challenges existing within public sector. Not only does it improve regulatory reporting, but good quality data also emboldens forces to make informed policy decisions on their deployment of resources; accurate data helps public services reach the communities most in need.

NDQIS is a key enabler for improving data quality related to knife crime, but with ever growing demands on our public services, the opportunities to embrace data-driven technologies are greater than ever.

The following blogs in this series will be looking at some of the typical data issues experienced by those working in the public sector. As an experienced data scientist will spend 80% of their time doing data preparation (cleaning, de-duplicating and matching), future blogs will look at efficient ways to ease the burden of data preparation, from data metrics and self-service data improvement, to data matching and migration. Read more about this in our Policing Data Quality E-Book here.

Roisin researches and writes on data management for Datactics, specialising in Govtech and Fintech. Holding a Master’s from Newcastle in Communication & Media, Roisin also covers PR for the company, and has a passion for the impact of music and arts on society.

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Following hot on the heels of Michael Lynch and Brendan McCarthy, our latest new recruit is Roisin Floyd, joining the marketing team as our brand new graduate research associate and writer. We thought we would sit down and find out a bit more about who she is, how she has come to Datactics, her goals and ambitions. Read on to get to know her better…

Hi Roisin! It’s great to have you on board. What can you tell me about this role you have taken up with Datactics? 

The role is Graduate Research Associate and Writer, a role that is brand new to the company and one which I am delighted to be taking. This role will combine my skills with PR, writing and researching to provide technical and non-technical pieces that will support the company’s ambitious plans to expand. The most exciting thing about the role is that prior to me starting the position, this was a role that didn’t exist. I feel this will give me a great opportunity to put my stamp on the team and create great written content whilst working with the rest of the dynamic marketing team. 

“This is the role I have been looking for. It perfectly marries together my interest in research and writing. I can’t wait to get started and fully immerse myself!”

What brought you to work for a company like Datactics?

I studied at Newcastle University for my undergraduate in Media, Communications and Culture, which exposed me to advertising, journalism and PR. Upon graduation in 2017, I then returned to study my master’s in Cross Cultural Communication and Media which was more language based, which allowed me to do a thesis on Music and Politics in Northern Ireland. Overall, my background has been heavily in research and communications. Since completing my master’s, I have worked in several different jobs including working in a PR company, working for a charity, and I have just finished working in NHS recruitment. Data and technology are brand new territories for me! I am extremely interested in this sector, which was something I heavily conveyed in my interview as one of the main reasons I was keen to secure this role. 

“Data and technology are brand new territories for me! I am extremely interested in this sector, which was something I heavily conveyed in my interview as one of the main reasons I was keen to secure this role”.

How did you find your groove with PR, writing and researching? 

In a previous role, I realised that my strengths were in researching and writing. In my past role I would’ve been briefed with the task of researching all the information behind a campaign, a comprehensive approach which involved competitor analysis, gathering excerpts and focusing on ensuring the campaign was well thought out. I then helped with executing the campaign. For me, I realised this was a skill of mine and I am looking forward to using this skill in this brand-new industry. 

Coming into the role, do you have any fears? 

I think it might revolve around the fact this is brand new industry for me and I am wanting to make sure that I do the best job I can! I think it’ll be a huge learning curve for me, and I am excited to begin writing and becoming more knowledgeable on the topic areas. So long as I can involve myself in projects from the early days, I am hopeful I will quickly come to terms with terminologies and technologies. 

What were your first impressions of the company? 

The team has been great, I have really enjoyed meeting all the people in the company so far. There has been a great amount of support. The company has been growing really fast from the outside looking in which to me is extremely exciting, as this will bring more opportunity! It’s a great feeling to join a company that is performing so well, with such great direction. On top of direction, the company has some great values: ambition, passion and integrity, all of three of these values have been prevalent to me from my first interview to starting the role.

“I have been incredibly encouraged too by the clear diversity and inclusion within the company”.

Brilliant! What about goals for the role as you are starting out? 

I am really looking forward to getting pieces published, on top of that I would love to make an impact for the company. I am keen to explore studying some sort of course to complement my new role, one which will allow to broaden my horizons and further educate myself. I am embracing the new challenge with optimism and am looking forward to collaborating with the rest of the team. I have gotten the impression already that learning is key to a successful career at Datactics, with many other team members studying alongside their roles. This to me suggests that the company is keen to support their employees on their own personal pursuit to progress on their professional development journey. On a side note, I am really looking forward to getting involved with social activities within the company, there seems to be a great culture here – so I am looking forward to participating in the next event! I’ve heard some fun things about Virtual Escape rooms! 

“I have gotten the impression already that learning is key to a successful career at Datactics, with many other team members studying alongside their roles”.

Thanks, Roisin, for taking the time to chat with us. It was great to be able to hear about your passions and your career journey to date.  We look forward to hearing more from you soon! 

Roisin will soon be curating and writing forward-thinking technical pieces. Keep an eye out on our data blog for her (soon to be) booming author bio, which will provide you with data-centric pieces that will blow your mind and affirm the importance of ensuring data quality of course…

Click here for more by the author, or find us on Linkedin, Twitter or Facebook for the latest news. 

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