Children in Need Census 2024-2025: Business and Technical Specification (Version 1.2)

Children in Need Census 2024-2025: Business and Technical Specification (Version 1.2)

Document Overview

Purpose: To outline the business and technical requirements for the Children in Need (CIN) Census for 2024-2025.
Version: 1.2, November 2024
Audience: Local authorities in England and their software providers for local authority management information systems (MIS).

Key Sections and Highlights

1. Introduction

• Scope: Collect child-level data on children identified as in need within local authorities in England for the period 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025.
• Audience: Primarily for local authority staff and software suppliers managing and reporting CIN data.
• Changes from Last Cycle: New data item <Sex> (N00783) replaces <Gender> (N00007) and includes options for ‘F,’ ‘M,’ and ‘U’ per CBDS change in RFC 1233.

2. Assumptions

1. Each authority submits a single data file.
2. Data follows e-GIF standards where feasible.
3. COLLECT (Collections On-line for Learning, Education, Children and Teachers) serves as the data collection tool.
4. Submissions must be in XML format.

3. Coverage and Timing

• Data Collection Period: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025.
• Submission Window: 1 April - 31 July 2025.

4. Data Standards

• Aligns with e-GIF standards to ensure consistency and compatibility with other government data systems.

5. Data Structure and Modules

The structure includes various modules capturing child information and details on CIN and Child Protection Plans:

• Child Identifiers Module: Unique identifiers like LAchildID, UPN, Date of Birth, and Sex. Allows for missing UPNs with a mandatory reason for absence.
• Child Characteristics Module: Includes fields for ethnicity and disability. Disability can be recorded under a general code DDA if specific details are unavailable.
• CIN Details Module: Records all CIN episodes open or reviewed during the census period, referral sources, closure codes, and assessment factors. This module also manages different types of referral outcomes.
• Child Protection Plans Module: Tracks all protection plans and includes start dates, review dates, and abuse categories.

6. Local Authority Data Returns

• Format: Must be in XML with a standard header and repeated child data nodes.
• Validation: Follows strict validation rules (Annex A) and requires unique serial numbers for re-submissions. Each re-submission overwrites previous data.

Important Dates and Changes

Contact and Further Resources

• Additional Documents: CIN Census 2024-2025 Guide, CIN-Census2025-v1-0.xsd (forthcoming)
• Data Standard Reference: Common Basic Data Set (CBDS)

For inquiries, please contact Department for Education