The latest guidance for the national indicator set (NIS) is now available on the national indicator information portal. This database provides online access to the latest definitions, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and clarifications for each of the national indicators. The information portal is supported by the Audit Commission and Communities and Local Government (CLG), and is now the only source of current guidance relating to the NIS.
Additional resources relevant to the NIS, including a record of changes and published guidance relating to the NIS since its introduction in April 2008 are detailed below.
Additional sources of guidance relevant to the NIS.
-
The analysis of policing and community safety (APACS) framework (external link) was introduced in April 2008. It applies to all police forces in England and Wales, covering key services delivered by the police working on their own or in partnership with others. APACS was designed to be closely aligned with cross-government strategic priorities and external frameworks, in particular: the public service agreements (PSAs) and Community and Local Government’s development of performance indicators for the national indicator set in England.
-
-
- The Area Information Team has since April 2008 published a regularly updated FAQ document to support the national indicator set guidance. From April 2010 this information is presented with the definition for each national indicator as provided through the information portal. A final record of the FAQs (version 2.4, March 2010 (PDF, 597 kb)) is provided here for reference.
Record of CLG guidance for the NIS
The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) published the Final Handbook of Definitions (external link) for the new National Indicator Set (NIS) in April 2008.
In addition, an update called 'National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Updated National Indicator Definitions (external link)', was published by CLG on 13 February 2009. This included the deletion of the following 10 indicators:
- NI 12 Refused and deferred Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) licence applications leading to immigration enforcement activity
- NI 24 Satisfaction with the way the police and local council dealt with anti-social behaviour
- NI 25 Satisfaction of different groups with the way the police and local council dealt with anti-social behaviour
- NI 74 The proportion of pupils achieving level 5+ in both English and maths
- NI 77 Achievement at level 5 or above in both English and Maths at KS3 (Floor)
- NI 83 The proportion of pupils achieving level 5+ in science
- NI 95 The proportion of pupils making 2 levels progress in English Key Stage 2-3
- NI 96 The proportion of pupils making 2 levels progress in maths Key Stage 2-3
- NI 97 The proportion of pupils making 2 levels progress in English Key Stage 3-4
- NI 98 The proportion of pupils making 2 levels progress in maths Key Stage 3-4
Please note that it was also decided to defer NI 26 until 2010/11 in order to develop the indicator further.
Changes to the NIS April 2010
Following the 2010 Budget, a further 18 indicators were removed from the NIS with effect from 1 April 2010. This is in line with commitments made in the Putting the Frontline First: Smarter Government (PDF, external link) to remove indicators that were no longer relevant or needed. Further detail and FAQs can be found in CLG’s Smarter Government (external link) paper.
Full details of the 18 indicators removed are listed below:
- NI 002 % of people who feel that they belong to their neighbourhood
- NI 003 Civic participation in the local area
- NI 010 Visits to museums and galleries
- NI 013 Migrants English language skills and knowledge
- NI 014 Avoidable contact: The proportion of customer contact that is of low or no value to the customer
- NI 023 Perceptions that people in the area treat one another with respect and consideration
- NI 033 Arson incidents
- NI 037 Awareness of civil protection arrangements in the local area
- NI 046 Young offenders access to suitable accommodation
- NI 049 Number of primary fires and related fatalities and non-fatal casualties, excluding precautionary checks
- NI 132 Timeliness of social care assessment (all adults)
- NI 133 Timeliness of social care packages following assessment
- NI 140 Fair treatment by local services
- NI 170 Previously developed land that has been vacant or derelict for more than 5 years
- NI 174 Skills gaps in the current workforce reported by employers
- NI 180 The number of changes of circumstances which affect customers' Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Benefit entitlements within the year
- NI 183 Impact of local authority regulatory services on the fair trading environment
- NI 184 Food establishments in the area which are broadly compliant with food hygiene law