Completing the template
This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Star Chamber template. If after careful consideration you think that a new information or data collection exercise is necessary, you should complete a template, summarising all the information on two sides.

You will need to:

• Decide on the minimum number of LAs and/or schools that need to be involved. The Data Services Group can advise on this (initially contact Robert Bauling, ext 55286). Preference should usually be given to gathering qualitative data from a few schools or LAs rather than quantitative data from many more.
• Define the minimum amount of information that you need to gather. You must not collect any information that is already available, such as school name/address or other data already held by DCSF.
• The Department no longer automatically sends paper to schools. This has been replaced by a fortnightly email notification which highlights items of importance to schools. Links within the email take users to an online version of Spectrum and the Online Ordering system, where they are able to choose which documents they want, when they want to receive them and the multiples they require. Contact Peter Sargeant (ext 21031).
• If more than a one-off exercise, decide on the minimum frequency for collecting the information.
  Consider with the Data Services Group how the data will be collected. Where feasible, there should at least be an option for electronic return of the information. If not, please explain why. If you are going to implement a new process for collecting the data or information, this should be trailed in a sample of LAs and/or schools.
• Assess the costs to the Department of undertaking the proposed data collection and identify which budget will cover those costs.
• Estimate the full compliance cost of the exercise (i.e. the time that schools and LAs will need to take to complete the exercise and the resultant estimate of costs). This should be a full annual cost if applicable. Robert Bauling (ext 55286) can advise on estimating compliance costs.
• Seek early advice from Olwen Hirst on whether the exercise falls within the scope of the Government's rules on Survey Control. New regular surveys may also need approval by the Office of National Statistics and this will add at least three weeks to the process.
• Consult the New Burdens guidance in 'Finance Matters' and seek further advice from Expenditure Division (Joan Heslington, ext 61053) as necessary about whether the provisions apply. (A new burden is a government policy or initiative which increases the costs of providing local authority services. Current guidance states that Departments placing new burdens on local government should transfer into local government funding, resources to cover any additional costs involved).
• Submit the template to the Star Chamber Secretariat for consideration. Three weeks will be required for the Secretariat to consider all proposed exercises.
• In some instances further clearance with Ministers will be necessary, such as, if all schools of a particular type are to be approached.
• Where the proposal involves collecting information or data via written or telephone questionnaires, submit a copy of the questionnaire, if available, alongside the template.
• Unless Ministers require otherwise, you should give one month's prior notice to the Local Government Association (sample letter), The Association of  Directors of Children's Services (sample letter). Wherever possible, you should take on board their comments in determining the precise form, content and process for collecting the information.
• At the planning stage of any data collection exercise, please feel free to contact the Star Chamber Secretariat. They will be pleased to offer early advice.
• Proposals that impact on LA social care collections need to be cleared well in advance so that the changes can be communicated to LAs at least 6 months prior to the start of the data collection period that will be affected eg before September 2007 for a collection that relates to the period April 2008 to March 2009. LAs and their software providers need this notice in order to plan and prepare for changes.

For information on the Research Approval Process please contact Dave Harp ext 24118, W601, Moorfoot