Children's Services Statistical Neighbour Benchmarking Tool
| Description | What are statistical neighbours? Statistical neighbour models provide one method for benchmarking progress. For each LA, these models designate a number of other LAs deemed to have similar characteristics. These designated LAs are known as statistical neighbours. Any LA may compare its performance (as measured by various indicators) against its statistical neighbours to provide an initial guide as to whether their performance is above or below the level that might be expected. To date both Ofsted and the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) have provided different statistical neighbours models enabling comparisons to be made between LAs with similar socio-demographic backgrounds. Both have limitations as they were not designed to meet the needs of the new national and local structures for delivering children's services. In addition, the new model uses more recent census information (2001) than previous models. The rationale for the development of a new model was that there should be one set of statistical neighbours for children's services which everyone would use. Ofsted have supported the development of the model and these neighbours have been used in the 2007 APAs. How can the tool be used? A practitioner user guide is available here. It should be noted that the comparison of outcome information is intended as a starting point for viewing performance to support benchmarking work. To obtain a comprehensive picture this needs to be supplemented with further analysis of performance information, including trends over time. The tool also allows the user to display up to five outcome measures from a list of available measures. The outcome measures displayed will be updated regularly by DCSF, the date of the most recent update will be displayed here and users should re-visit this site to ensure they are making use of the most recent version. The neighbours themselves will not be updated until the 2011 Census information becomes available for analytical purposes in 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Download Formats | | Additional information | PDF (NFER Statistical Neighbour Practioner User Guide (1.8MB)) | Additional information | PDF (NFER Final Report (1MB)) | Additional information | EXCEL (Children's Services Statistical Neighbour Benchmarking Tool. Updated to include most recent GCSE data release. In keeping with National Indicator 75 these GCSE figures are for 5+ A*-C at end of KS4 (rather than at age 15 as previously displayed).This model includes provisional data on KS1 and 2 results. These are subject to the outcome of the appeals process whereby schools can request a review for one or more of their pupils on the grounds that the mark scheme has not been correctly applied; any changes made by schools during the Achievement and Attainment Tables checking exercise in the Autumn term; the outcome of the Sutherland Inquiry which is looking into the problems with delivery of this year's National Curriculum tests; and further advice from the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual). At the time of publication, information from Ofqual indicates that the underlying data are of sufficient quality to support this publication.) | Additional information | EXCEL (As the tool includes outcome indicators it is likely it will be updated fairly frequently as new information becomes available. This additional spreadsheet provides a version log of changes to the tool so users can keep track of any changes and decide if they need to download the full model again) | Reference ID | NFER/2007 | Coverage Country | England | Date Released | 12 February 2007 | Main Category | Education and Skills | Health, well-being and Care Government, politics and public administration Sub Category | Care | Local Government Type | Other Statistics | Contact | Stephen Bloyce Stephen.Bloyce@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk tel: 020 7925 6313 | | ||||||||||||
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