2024/2025 Service Definition

SIMS Assisted Housekeeping Service


What is it?

The SIMS Housekeeping Service is available for all types and phases of schools. It is a perfect accompaniment to your Academic Year End process or anytime of the year when you feel your SIMS data would benefit from a cleanse.

Why do I need it?

One of our specialist SIMS consultants will work with you remotely to run the housekeeping routines within SIMS. This service is designed to make sure that your data in SIMS is efficiently maintained and to ensure the housekeeping routines within SIMS are completed. It will also provide best practice guidance, where appropriate.

What are the benefits?

  • Ensures data accuracy ready for submitting your School Census Return.
  • Data consistency across the school.
  • Helps school staff improve their understanding of the uses of and links between different types of data.
  • Greater use of SIMS functionality.
  • Helpful tips and best practice on when to carry out housekeeping routines.

What is included?

As part of this remotely delivered consultancy session, your school will also receive supporting documentation explaining how to carry out the SIMS Housekeeping routines listed below:

Activity

Description

Data formatting

To manage/maintain your data and make sure all name fields are formatted to your preference.

Update fields

To update useful fields such as Mailing Point, Parental Salutations etc.

Check for common duplications

To ensure that data in SIMS is not duplicated for Agents, Agencies and Addresses.

Review out of date data

To show school staff how to delete data no longer required e.g., unlinked Contacts ensuring compliance with GDPR.

Review user accounts

To prevent unauthorised access to your SIMS by deactivating redundant user accounts.

Review user permissions

To ensure your SIMS users have permissions suitable for their roles.

Identify potential efficiencies

To audit your current usage to identify efficiency savings i.e., ensure you are using SIMS effectively and running routines to keep your system in tip top shape.

Review reports

SIMS report management, deletion of obsolete reports.

Data maintenance routines

To keep your data maintained and develop the skills and knowledge to tidy it on a regular basis.

What is excluded?

  • Advice on GDPR implications.

PLEASE NOTE: Lancashire County Council Education Digital Services will not advise which data can be deleted and will not delete any data.

What does it cost?

Log-in to find out information on our pricing.

Additional information

Are there any restrictions on this service?

The consultancy service MUST be carried out with a member of staff who has School Administrator access rights within SIMS and the authority within school to make decisions regarding the data deletions/updates.

Do you offer an alternative consultancy option that goes into more detail?

Yes, if you require a more comprehensive review of how well you are using your SIMS system and would like to spend more time with our consultants reviewing how you get more out of SIMS, we recommend our SIMS Management Information System Health Check consultancy service instead.

Is training available?

Lancashire County Council Education Digital Services School Applications Team provide a range of face-to-face training courses at The Exchange in Preston in Lancashire. These are open to all schools, including those outside Lancashire. Contact educationdigitalservices@lancashire.gov.uk for more information or visit our website which lists our upcoming training courses.

Terms and Conditions

All services are offered subject to our General Terms and Conditions which are available on our website.