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Overview
This action guide set supports producers to apply the Code of Practice for Statistics. It is for official statistics producers who need to engage users and other interested stakeholders, and, where appropriate, involve members of the public when planning, producing, developing and communicating official statistics. It helps producers decide who to engage, when public involvement may be needed, what approach is proportionate, how to record evidence, and how to explain what has changed as a result.
Good engagement should be a two-way process. It involves listening actively, inviting challenge, understanding different perspectives and being open about how insight has shaped decisions. Where people’s views cannot be acted on, producers should explain the reasons clearly and constructively. Engagement should inform decisions, not determine them automatically. Producers should use professional judgement to balance engagement evidence with statistical quality, methods, comparability, legal and ethical requirements, feasibility, burden and the wider public interest.
Choose the guide that best fits your role
This action guide set includes an overarching guide for shared context and three role-based guides:
- Overarching guide: start here if you are new to user engagement and public involvement, or need shared context before using a role guide
- Senior statistical leaders guide: use this if you set expectations, provide resources, assure engagement and champion good practice
- Statistics leads guide: use this if you plan engagement, coordinate teams, support analysts and use evidence in decisions
- Analysts guide: use this if you carry out engagement, record findings and apply insight to outputs
Use the guides alongside self-evaluation, planning, governance and development work, so that engagement becomes part of routine statistical practice rather than a separate exercise.
Keep in touch
Contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk if you have any questions about user engagement and public involvement.
Useful resources
Code of Practice for Statistics – sets the statutory standards that those producing official statistics should apply to deliver statistics that serve the public good
Short guide on Standard 8: Be relevant – includes good practice examples on statistical decision making and engaging users
Public involvement and engagement in official statistics (PIE): A toolkit for statistics producers – OSR practical guidance to help producers plan proportionate user engagement and public involvement
OSR guidance on user engagement – OSR’s expectations and guidance on how producers should understand users and use engagement evidence
Government Design Principles – the UK Government’s principles for designing public services that are accessible, user-centred and easy to use
Understanding accessibility requirements for public sector bodies – the UK Government’s guidance and tools to help public sector bodies meet digital accessibility requirements