6.1 Governance

6.1.1 Enhanced governance arrangements are being put in place for corporate ICT using the National e-Service Delivery Standards (NeSDS) as a benchmark. A governance framework for CYPS, which takes the corporate arrangements into account, has been proposed and is being finalised.

6.1.2 Using the corporate ICT governance model we get two strands for CYPS:

Governance of the ICT strategy.

The CYPS ICT strategy group:

• approves and owns the ICT strategy
• makes sure that it fits with the CYPS business objectives and priorities through regular review
• makes sure that CYPS and corporate ICT strategies are synchronised (especially where corporate resources are needed)
• formally approves and manages work programmes using Prince2 and MSP standards
• manages ICT related internal funds and external grants.

ICT operations

• Effective operational management of ICT in CYPS (particularly core systems).
• Adherence to standards.
• Agreeing priorities and best use of resources.
• Agreeing and monitoring work plans.
• Ensuring adequate support arrangements are in place.
• Setting and reviewing performance targets.

6.2  Integration strategy

6.2.1 The successful delivery of integrated will only be achieved with the support of secure integrated systems and data. The core business systems portfolio shows the current position with a number of different systems which don’t currently work together. The strategy needs to consider all of the options, taking into account the national agenda and investment already made in existing systems.

Possible solutions:

1. Fully integrated external – one solution bought in.
   There is no one solution currently available which can deliver a fully integrated system for DCC and its partners. The market tends to be delivery specialist solutions and while there might be some consolidation, it is unlikely that an affordable solution will appear in the short-term.
   
2. Fully integrated internal - one solution developed in-house.
   Corporate and service strategies do not recommend this option.
   
3. Partially integrated – using an index through middleware.
   The level of investment in core and specialist services so far, and the fact that there is no fully integrated solution available, means that the solution has to be found through a framework which allows data and information to viewed and exchanged across systems and agencies. There are already products in the marketplace which claim to do this, but none of the current DCC suppliers do.
   
   The national agenda is set around the creation of an Information Sharing Index (ISI) so this needs to be factored into the solution. It will work in the background providing a way to unlock data through a unique child reference number, and will work across a number of systems when needed.
   
   Appendix B tries to show the building blocks and relationships making best use of current solutions already in place in DCC, so protecting current and future investment.
   
4. No integration – separate solutions as we currently have.
   Keeping the current situation is not an option for the future.

6.2.2 A partially integrated solution as suggested in option 3 can only be achieved through:

• adoption of the national ISI as a key component of the integration strategy
• commitment from the key suppliers, Capita and OLM, to sign up to the government Connect programme
• agreement by the key suppliers to work with DCC and its partners to achieve the proposed solution
• use of the DCC Common Solutions Architecture through joint working with the corporate ICT unit
• a review of all current systems in CYPS to look at their suitability and need to be included in an integrated system portfolio (see 5.4)
• scrutinising any new need for systems and/or enhancements of current systems against an agreed criteria. Appendix C shows a suggested checklist.

6.3  Technology innovation

6.3.1 Children and young people are likely to embrace new technology and we should seize every opportunity to use it in a sensitive and secure way. A number of potential projects have already been identified such as the use of SMS (texting) for consultation exercises and the use of the MySpace website. These would need to be incorporated into the programme of work.

6.3.2 As stakeholders, parents, guardians and carers should also be able to access all relevant information in a secure environment, anytime and anywhere. This could include the Children with Special Needs Parent/Carer Keyworking project and the SIMS Learning Gateway.

6.3.3 The Corporate ICT Strategy contains a technology innovation strand so if, for example there is a corporate solution for mobile working, CYPS would need to be involved in the project and work closely with the corporate centre to make sure the solution meets CYPS needs.

6.3.4 As part of the t-Government agenda business processes will be reviewed and re-engineered (www.br). Any solutions should take account of developments and offerings from in the Common Solutions Architecture, existing core applications and any new innovative technology offerings.