Use of data analytics, predictive analytics or algorithmic automated systems for decision-making in Children's Services

The request was successful.

Dear Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council,
We are submitting the following Freedom of Information Request for documents relating to previous or current uses of data analytics, predictive analytics, or algorithmic automated systems used for processing, risk assessment, scoring systems or automated decision making in relation to child and family services delivered in the jurisdiction of your local authority.

Please can you supply the following information:
1) Has the council used any data analytics, predictive analytics and or artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision?
2) Is the council using any data analytics, predictive analytics and or artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision?
3) Is the council intending to use data analytics, predictive analytics and or artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision?
4) Details of any briefing notes, reports, or summaries relating to the use or potential use of data analytics, predictive analytics and or artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision.
5) Any meeting minutes, reports or presentation materials on the efficacy or impact of data analytics, predictive analytics and or artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision.
6) Details of any third-party consultants or suppliers of data analytics, predictive analytics or artificial intelligence systems including any contracts, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements (which may include but not exclusively data sharing agreements)

Please note, the timeframe for questions 4-6 is indefinite.
By data analytics we mean the processing of families’ data to draw conclusions about the information it contains and to uncover patterns and insights from it. This may be via computer packages or dashboards.
By predictive analytics, we mean using families’ data to create predictive models that can be used for risk assessment, scoring systems or to inform decision-making.
By artificial intelligence/algorithmic automated systems we mean the process of using families’ data to develop systems that make decisions by automated means. This includes tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as speech recognition and decision-making.
By children, we include all those 0-18 years old
By children’s service provision we include information relating to all services the local authority provides for children and families, including children's social care, education and learning, early years services, youth services and youth offending teams.

If it is not possible to provide the information requested due to the information exceeding the cost of compliance limits identified in s.12 FOIA, please provide advice and assistance as to how I can refine my request, as required under s.16 FOIA.

Yours faithfully,

Val Gillies

Data Protection, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

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Kind regards

Information Governance Team

Data Protection, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Thank you for your email.

Your enquiry has been given the reference number 10400. Please quote this in all future correspondence with regard to this enquiry.

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Thank you
Trafford Council

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Children Families & Wellbeing FOI, Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

2 Attachments

Dear Ms Gillies,

 

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information Request (FOI
10400) date 16^th March 2021

 

Please find the Council’s response below;

 

1)    Has the council used any data analytics, predictive analytics and or
artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision?

 

No

 

2)    Is the council using any data analytics, predictive analytics and or
artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision?

 

No

 

3)    Is the council intending to use data analytics, predictive analytics
and or artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service
provision?

 

No

 

4)    Details of any briefing notes, reports, or summaries relating to the
use or potential use of data analytics, predictive analytics and or
artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision.

 

N/A

 

5)    Any meeting minutes, reports or presentation materials on the
efficacy or impact of data analytics, predictive analytics and or
artificial intelligence systems to support children’s service provision.

 

N/A

 

6)    Details of any third-party consultants or suppliers of data
analytics, predictive analytics or artificial intelligence systems
including any contracts, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements
(which may include but not exclusively data sharing agreements)

 

N/A

 

I hope this is helpful however if you are dissatisfied with the handling
of your request, you have the right to ask for an internal review.
Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date
of receipt of the response to your original letter and should be addressed
to: Information Governance Manager, Trafford Council, Town Hall, Talbot
Road Stretford M33 0TH or via email to
[1][Trafford Council request email]    

 

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF

 

Kind Regards

 

Tracy Tarry

Senior Customer Engagement Support Officer

Integrated Customer Engagement Team (ICE)

[2]cid:image001.png@01D72B8F.C5317730

Trafford Town Hall

Talbot Road

Stretford

M32 0TH    

 

Tel: 0161 912 1941

Fax: 0161 912 1289

 

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