Governance of information standards

The Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB), holds legal responsibility for the assurance and approval of information standards and data collections across health and adult social care.

The Data Assurance Board (DAB) reviews and approves on behalf of the DAPB.

The Data Governance, Assurance and Testing team (DGAT) performs the assurance process.

The DAPB is authorised by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to oversee the assurance of information standards and data collections. The DAPB delegates the review and approval to the DAB.

The DAPB aims to maximise the use of existing health and care data, reducing the need for additional data collection from frontline providers. This is achieved through the principle of 'collect once, use many times'. 

The DAPB's key objectives include: 

• reducing duplication in data collections
• enhancing the use of existing data within legal frameworks
• increasing transparency by publishing a comprehensive list of approved information standards and data collections
• approving information standards and data collections for use in health and adult social care

The DAB is responsible for scrutinising and approving the publication of new, updated, or retired information standards and data collections under the authority delegated by the DAPB.

The DAB's key responsibilities include: 

• ensuring data standards align with the target data architecture
• approving and publishing information standards and data collections
• evaluating the adoption of approved information standards and data collections, focusing on reducing duplication and provider burden

The DAB meets monthly, on the third week of the month, with the option of a short meeting more regularly if required.

Terms of reference are available on request. Email the team at [email protected] to request a copy.

The DAB seeks input, advice and architectural design leadership from the Data Design Authority. This group of data architects oversee the alignment with data architecture and provide a feedback loop where changes may be needed.

If you have any queries, or feedback, about any of the information on this page, contact us at [email protected].