Government Connect support and data handling guidelines for local government

• Protection and management of personal information
• A Government Connect Code of Connection (CoCo) toolkit
• Help with adopting Government Connect
• Helpdesk
• Joining the CoP
• Further information

Following the publication of the 'Local Government Data Handling Guidelines', LG Improvement and Development is offering support for local authorities in adopting sector guidelines for handling personal data. There is also information assurance guidance for the Government Connect Code of Connection. We are pleased to announce that a support package is now in place and includes the following:

Protection and management of personal information

A web-based resource for those in councils responsible for ensuring effective protection and management of personal information. This is through an Information Assurance Community of Practice (CoP) – building on the published sector guidelines on personal data handling.

Information Assurance CoP – on the Communities of Practice website (registration required)

A Government Connect Code of Connection (CoCo) toolkit

The toolkit is to be created through the National Local Authority Warning, Advice and Reporting Point (NLAWARP) website, building on the Government Connect Code of Connection Products and Services Catalogue.

NLAWARP – for more information on the website

Government Connect Code of Connection Products and Services Catalogue – on the Government Connect website

Help with adopting Government Connect

Help for councils to adopt the Government Connect secure data transfer system is available. Also examples of good practice on Code of Connection compliance and requirements on audit and monitoring once connected. Some councils are finding this challenging. If you are, please contact the service as detailed below to see how it might help you.

Helpdesk

An online and telephone helpline available through the Information Assurance Community of Practice (CoP) or by telephoning 020 8524 5377, which will function as a helpdesk.

Joining the CoP

To access the full discussions and relevant documents, you will need to be a member of the Information Assurance Community of Practice.

Information Assurance CoP – on the Communities of Practice website (registration required)

Further information

Mike Short at LG Improvement and Development has been appointed as the Policy Lead. Mike can be contacted through mike.short@local.gov.uk

Mark Brett has been appointed as the Information Assurance Advisor to the LGA, to lead on the technical aspects of this work and to be your council’s contact for this service. Mark can be contacted at mark.brett@local.gov.uk

The LGA and Welsh LGA, working closely with the Society of Information Technology Management (Socitm) and with central and local government, have prepared the following guidelines.

Local Government Data Handling Guidelines (PDF, 12 pages, 315KB)

For more information please contact Mark Brett in the first instance.

Published March 2009.