We received funding from the Welsh Government to develop a ‘common data set’ to support the assessments of local well-being required under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

We have developed the data set using the four themes: social; economic; cultural; and environmental well-being seeking to build on the experience of previous assessments and the recent publication of the national indicator set.

Engaging with, and gaining input from, partnership colleagues has been a key part of the development of the data set and we have used local and regional networks as well as established national network groups to support this.

This common data set can provide a starting point for PSBs across Wales to begin to assess well-being in the area and the production of the assessment. It will be just a part of the evidence base which PSBs will want to use to support their assessments, which is likely to also include local evidence and intelligence including the views of citizens. It aims to increase consistency and reduce duplication in the development of the assessments across Wales. It is intended to allow for greater focus and resource to be aimed at the analysis of the data and alignment for partners supporting more than one PSB.

The data set is now available here.

If you would like more information, or would like to discuss how the Data Unit can offer further support, please get in touch with Chris Perkins or call 029 2090 9500.

We have updated our offering for the child measurement programme data in InfoBaseCymru. We now hold data on the numbers of boys, girls and children who are overweight or obese. This is available at local authority level. The data shows that in AY 2014/15 in Wales, 26.2% of children were overweight or obese, compared with 26.5% in 2013/14.

If you have any comments on this data, please contact us at enquiries@dataunitwales.gov.uk or 029 2090 9500.

We have updated our offering for Work based learning programmes (Apprenticeships) data in InfoBaseCymru. We now hold data on the numbers of work based learning programmes by industry sector. This is available at local authority level.

If you have any comments on this data, please contact us at enquiries@dataunitwales.gov.uk or 029 2090 9500.

We were pleased that over 100 delegates attended the event, with over 40 organisations being represented.

The feedback from the event has been very positive. Analysis of the evaluation forms shows that:

100% of respondents thought the content was relevant

100% of respondents thought the content was useful

Our pre-event arrangements were also highly praised, with 100% of respondents agreeing that they were provided with all necessary details to enable them to attend.

In terms of overall organisation of the event, 91% of respondents said it was very good.

Comments included:

‘One of the best, most useful conference I've attended in a while.’

‘The content of the event - speakers/ presentations and the workshops I attended were of a high quality, relevant to the topic and my role and responsibilities.’

‘The session was perfect timing for the introduction of the new laws and the focus on the practical issues is very valuable and is exactly the kind of thing the events here should be done.’

Videos of the main presentations have also been posted online. These can be found on the Data Unit Wales YouTube channel.

The new design and layout should be easier for you to navigate and find what you want quickly. A few new features worth mentioning include:

• streamlined content
• direct and quick access to data
• a new portfolio showcasing our work.

We hope that you like our new website. Please get in touch and let us know what you think!

We regularly update and include new data in InfoBaseCymru and now we have gone one step further.

We have updated its look and revised the data layout so that it is easier for you to navigate and find the data you want quickly.

Other changes include:

• Trending –the top 5 most popular data and reports;
• Features – quick access to the innovative ways we use the data; and
• News slider – an engaging way to highlight topical data.

We will keep adding new data as it becomes available and continue to review the content to make sure it is meeting your needs.

The improvements mean that some of the links that you may have been using will have changed. If you need any help just get in touch.

We’ve recently published a report on the Social Worker Workforce Planning data 2014-15. The report aims to support local authorities and the Care Council for Wales in planning for future workforce needs and to inform the commissioning of social worker training in Wales.

The report shows the numbers of social workers working in local authorities in Adults’ Services, Children's Services and other areas. It also looks at the trends of the workforce over time, staff turnover and the projected workforce over the next three years.

To view the 2014-15 report please click the image below.

100 delegates attended our fourth National Intelligence Event – ‘How it REALLY is’ – Understanding well-being – a step change in Wales on Thursday 3 March 2016 at Cardiff City Stadium.

Delegates heard from a range of speakers including Christopher Stevens, Head of Planning and Partnership Branch and Claire Germain Head of Local Government Partnerships, Welsh Government.

We also heard from Dr. Alan Netherwood from Netherwood Sustainable Futures who talked about his work with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) on the Future Generations Act Early Adopter Programme and work on futures governance at Cardiff University to explore how the needs of future generations can be represented in well-being assessments.

There were a number of breakout sessions with speakers from the Wales Audit Office, Public Health Wales, Participation Cymru, Social Services Improvement Agency, Welsh Local Government Association, Welsh Government, Ceredigion County Council, City and County of Swansea and Cwm Taf UHB.

The day was brought to a close with Russell De’Ath, Senior Natural Resource Management Adviser, Natural Resources Wales who talked about how the Environment (Wales) Bill gives NRW a particular focus in communicating both the risks and the opportunities that the management of natural resources offers for human well-being, and how they are approaching this new challenge and how this will inform well-being assessments and well-being plans.

Feedback from the event so far has been very positive. Presentations and video footage are now available.

Fewer people swam for free between October-November 2015!

The latest free swimming data for October - November 2015 is now available. Overall, it shows a 12% decrease in the number of free public swims compared to the same period last year.

Want to see more? Check out our Free Swimming interactive tool for Wales.

For more information on Free Swimming data please contact Adrian Smith.

A data catalogue in support of the SSIA Population Assessment Toolkit is now available.

The Data Unit, on behalf of the Social Services Improvement Agency (SSIA), have released a data catalogue as part of the Population Assessment Toolkit being developed to assist local authorities and local health boards with their statutory requirements under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

The catalogue offers users a range of available data that may be useful in developing their population assessments, whilst recognising that needs will vary between areas.

The catalogue has been developed in conjunction with partners in local authorities and local health boards. Wider stakeholders were also given an opportunity to feedback on the data catalogue, and this feedback has been taken into consideration.

SSIA plan to release the Toolkit by April 2016.