What is MIAP?
Managing Information Across Partners (MIAP) is a group of over 40 organisations working together to create a co-ordinated approach to the management of data and information, relating to learners and the providers of education and training. The group intends to offer more choice and better services for learners, employers and communities, along with improved systems for providers.
MIAP objectives include improving and streamlining the flow of data and information across post-16 education and training; arriving at a mutual understanding of members' shared data and information requirements; and considering options for more efficient longer-term collaboration, to improve systems and reduce bureaucracy.
The MIAP framework outlines guidelines and principles that will enable members of the MIAP group to share information in a consistent manner and in accordance with legal and other requirements.
MIAP group members agree to comply with principles of data sharing, including fair processing notices, security, confidentiality policies and formal agreements being put in place for the transfer of data between organisations. They will manage and process data in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
In England MIAP is now taken forward by the Learning and Skills Council under the overall guidance of the Department for Education and Skills
For more information go to: http://www.miap.gov.uk/
MIAP in Scotland
Many of the issues relating to data sharing are the same in Scotland and the rest of the UK. However in Scotland they are less complex:
- there are fewer institutions
- a large number of Scottish qualifications are awarded by one body, the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
A MIAP group has been established in Scotland that brings together the main providers of information on learners and learning.
Scoping report
The David Mason Consultants Report is available on the internet.
Legislation
The forthcoming Education and Training Bill for England is expected to enable the (English) Learning and Skills Council to work for Scotland and Scottish learners, if asked to do so by Scottish Ministers. This will make it possible for Scottish MIAP to 'tap' into work done in England.
SCN/ ULN consultancy
Scottish MIAP have started a consultancy using Oakleigh Consulting to assess the viability of the Scottish Candidate Number, issued by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, as a Unique Learner Number. Their work will include desk research to identify types and numbers of learners who are and are not covered by SCN. They will also use interviews to gauge the opinion of learning providers and awarding bodies on the possible use of SCN and to collect available data. It is anticipated that the study will be completed within 4 months, commencing in early December . The SCN is the most obvious choice of number but its use in terms on the Data Protection Act would need to be investigated.