Ed Humpherson, Director General for Regulation, responds to Glyn Jones, Chief Statistician on social care statistics
Dear Glyn
Thank you for your letter of 18 October outlining the ongoing difficulties around data collected by local authorities during the transition to a new software system. I am pleased that you are working with data suppliers to continue to improve the data returns in an effort to ensure published Adult Social Services statistics are of suitable quality.
While you continue to improve the data collection I would encourage you to make sure your publication is clear about the limitations of the data and plans for improvement, so that users understand how the statistics can be used appropriately. This should include:
1. Continuing to make users aware of planned changes and inviting feedback about the releases.
2. Explaining how representative (or biased) the national figures are, given the gaps in the data collection and the limitations of their appropriate use.
3. Explaining how you have assured yourselves that the figures are sufficiently robust for publication.
As you will be aware we have been discussing adult social services statistics with users in Wales and we look forward to working with your team to improve the public value of these important statistics.
Yours sincerely
Ed Humpherson
Director General for Regulation
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