Documentation and Resources

Title/link: Data Handling Guidelines
Synopsis: These are the published Version 2 of the Local Public Services Data Handling Guidelines. The guidelines provide valuable information to organisations connecting to, and consuming services across, the Public Services Network (PSN). In order to maximise the benefits of the shared public sector infrastructure, it is essential to achieve common trust built on a common set of standards. Every organisation should exercise a corporate approach to Information Risk Management and Information Governance. These guidelines offer an approach compatible with the PSN Security Model and Planting the Flag, the Local Public Services response to the Government ICT Strategy. Finally, the guidelines assist organisations in complying with the PSN Information Assurance Conditions - an essential step in connecting to the shared public sector environment.

Title/link: Current PSN standards
Synopsis: Here you will find governance, technical interoperability, service management and security standards, and associated strategies and supporting documentation.

Title/Link: Open Data White Paper: Unleashing the potential
Synopsis: This Open Data command paper, sets out how the UK government is putting data and transparency at the heart of its policy-making and public services. This includes: making it easier to access public data; easier for data publishers to release data in standardised, open formats; and engraining a 'presumption to publish' unless specific reasons (such as privacy or national security) can be clearly articulated. From the Prime Minister down, central Government is committed to making Open Data an effective engine of economic growth, social wellbeing, political accountability and public service improvement. 

Title/Link: Social media guidance for civil servants
Synopsis: Guidance on the use of social media and overcoming the technical barriers to accessing the internet and social media

Title/Link: Open Public Services 2012
Synopsis: This paper sets out the huge amount that has been achieved in the eight months since the publication of the Open Public Service (OPS) White Paper in summer 2011 and more importantly focuses on the next stages, emphasising the importance of ensuring the quality of public services continues to improve whilst meeting the Government's tough targets on financial spending.

Title/Link: Information Principles for the UK Public Sector
Synopsis: Information Principles for the UK Public Sector has been published by the Cabinet Office. The aim of these principles is to 'enable organisations across the public sector to become increasingly aligned in their use and management of information (both structured and unstructured), drawing on their own local strategy and practices from a common set of principles and best practices.'

Title/Link: Implementing the Government ICT Strategy: six-month review of progress
Synopsis: The NAO commends the early progress being made by the Government in implementing its ICT Strategy but has identified areas where progress has not kept pace with the Government's ambitions.

Title/Link: Government Shared Services: Strategic Vision
Synopsis: This document is a summary of the proposed strategic vision and future operating model for Government Shared Services.

Title/Link: Open Public Services White Paper
Synopsis: The Open Public Services White Paper sets out how the Government will improve public services. By putting choice and control in the hands of individuals and neighbourhoods, public services will become more responsive to peoples' needs.

Title/Link: Review of ICT Infrastructure in the Public Sector in Scotland
Synopsis: A review of public sector ICT infrastructure carried out by John McClelland recommends an overarching national ICT strategy to address national needs and that each part of the public sector, such as universities or councils, should move to shared procurement and use of ICT.

Title/Link: Managing Digital Continuity
Synopsis: Managing digital continuity protects the information you need to do business. This enables you to operate accountably, legally, effectively and efficiently. It helps you to protect your reputation, make informed decisions, avoid and reduce costs, and deliver better public services.

Title/Link: An Information Revolution: a consultation on proposals
Synopsis: The information revolution is about transforming the way information is accessed, collected, analysed and used so that people are at the heart of health and adult social care services.

Title/Link: Britain's Superfast Broadband Future
Synopsis: This strategy document sets out the government's vision that Britain has the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. It maps out how this will be delivered over the lifetime of the current Parliament and demonstrates evidence of progress in the first 6 months of the Coalition Government.