Standard Data Requirement for the Person Centred Framework Guidance

Background

To generate good quality data, to maximise local and collective learning and to enable continuous improvement over time, each fire and rescue service (FRS) must assess its Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV), ideally in a way that is consistent with other FRS. This enables evidence to be pooled across FRS, and it also enables individual approaches to be directly compared to identify best practice.

This framework is intended as best practice guidance and gives FRS something to work towards. The more closely this approach can be followed, the greater the quality of data that can be generated across the country.

The requirement for the collection of person identifiable data at a local fire and rescue service level is justified and covered in the fire act under our statutory duty to prevent fires. The Fire and Rescue Services Act, 2004, places a duty on fire and rescue services to protect life and property from fire. Part 6, Sections 45 to 48 of the Act empowers a fire and rescue service to obtain information and investigate fires and provides powers to investigate what caused a fire or why it progressed as it did.

The demographic data that the NFCC are recommending that all FRS collect can be proven as causal factors in higher fire risk based on fire investigation data and fatality reports. Each local FRS HFSV requires consent to collect this data, and the intended aggregation by the NFCC will only require anonymised data to support national research and development.

A set of core measures has been identified for every FRS to use when collecting data for HFSV interventions. This document provides guidance notes in relation to the data required for Part One (Demographic Data) and Part Two (Visit Data).

PCF Data Reqs

Authors: Lyndsey Bell, Jo Mann, Steve Beakhust and Ged Devereux

Coordination committees: Digital and Data Programme and Prevention Committee

Core Data Required

Part One: Demographic Data Essential Source
1.1 Age Range FRS/Partner Referral
1.2 Sex and Gender Identity FRS/Partner Referral
1.3 Ethnic Group FRS/Partner Referral
1.4 Disability FRS/Partner Referral
1.5 Smoking Status FRS/Partner Referral
1.6 Living Circumstances FRS/Partner Referral
1.7 Number of people living within the household FRS/Partner Referral

 

Part Two: Visit Data Essential Source
2.1 HFSV Details FRS
2.1a Type of Visit FRS
2.1b Targeted Visit? FRS
2.2 Numbers of households identified at risk from:
2.2a Lack of Home Fire Detection/Assistive Technology FRS
2.2b General Fire hazards FRS
2.2c Electrical Hazards FRS
2.2d Unsafe Heating FRS
2.2e Clutter and Hoarding FRS
2.2f Deliberate Fires FRS
2.2g Smoking-Related Fires FRS
2.2h Medicines and Medical Devices FRS
2.3 HFSV Outputs
2.3a Number of referrals FRS
2.3b Number of signposts FRS
2.3c Number of equipment provided FRS
2.3d Type and number of equipment provided FRS

 

Part Three: Qualitative Data Essential Source
3.1 Beneficiary Satisfaction Measure FRS
3.2 Case Studies of beneficiaries FRS
3.3 Interviews with Stakeholders FRS
3.4 Interviews with FRS delivery staff FRS

Supporting Guidance for Essential Criteria

It is recognised that introducing a National Data Portal for FRS to share standardised HFSV data is a new approach and as such, represents a challenge. Many FRS across the country implement HFSV in varying ways and use different systems to collect and store the data.

The Fire Standards Board announced the Data Management Fire Standard in March 2022, which focuses on FRS delivering excellence to our communities by maximising the value of good quality and reliable data. The standard has been developed with expert input from the NFCC Digital and Data Programme, the NFCC Data Lead, Government Digital Services and colleagues with data expertise from a wide range of FRS.

To assist with the collection of good quality and reliable data, the NFCC is keen to encourage the use of harmonised data. Harmonisation is about improving the consistency, comparability and coherence of data and statistics, and allows analysts to work together to get more from the data.

Where applicable, the data standards provided by the Government Statistical Service (GSS) have been used as the basis for the data fields in the ‘Part One (Demographic Data)’ section. This information has been provided as best practice, but it is recognised not all FRS will be collecting the information in this way, at this time. Ideally, all FRS should try to align future improvements in their data collection to the harmonised data standards, where possible.

Therefore, due to the different methods currently used by FRS to collate the HFSV data, it is expected that FRS will have to undertake a degree of cleansing to transform the data into the required format to be submitted to the National Data Portal.

To enable the collation of the standardised national dataset, FRS are requested to submit an anonymised row of data for each completed HFSV (based on the responses from the main beneficiary of the HFSV).

Household vs Individual Data

The level of data captured by FRS is dependent upon the different recording systems that are in place and their ability to store this data. It is acknowledged that FRS are at different stages in regard to collecting household vs. individual level data.

It is recognised that the majority of FRS currently record HFSV data at a household level. Until such time that each FRS can supply individual level data, the data submitted to the National Data Portal should refer to the main beneficiary or lead occupier receiving the visit.

As part of a longer-term aim, each FRS is encouraged to record and submit an anonymised row of person centred data for each individual considered to be at risk within the household.

FRS currently recording HFSV data at an individual level are requested to aggregate the data to a household level, prior to submission to the National Data Portal.

Part One: Demographic Data

Data in this section should be collected routinely by FRS. Demographics are the characteristics of a population. Where applicable, the harmonised data standards provided by the Government Statistical Service (GSS) have been used as the basis for the data fields in the ‘Part One (Demographic Data)’ section. This information has been provided as best practice, but it is recognised not all FRS will be collecting the information in this way, at this time. Ideally, all FRS should try to align future improvements in their data collection to the harmonised data standards.

Information submitted in Part One should refer to the main beneficiary or lead occupier receiving the HFSV.

1.1 Age Range

Age can be measured in multiple ways. For example, it could be derived from date of birth, asked for by age brackets, or asked outright. It can also be output in different ways. For example, age in years, age in brackets, age at the time of survey, or age at the time of publication. Because of this, it is important to have a harmonised standard for age.

If date of birth is provided, it is recommended that date of birth input data is translated into age at the time of survey before outputting. The preferred output for age is single year of age. If the data does not allow this, then there are harmonised groupings which may be used.

Due to the different way FRS are recording information pertaining to the main beneficiaries’ age, the GSS harmonised groupings have been suggested as the basis for the age ranges.

Use either the date of birth, the year of birth, or the occupier’s age at the time of HFSV, to provide the age range of the main beneficiary / lead occupier. The age range is useful to help identify risk factors by age.

The more granular the age range, the more useful the data will be, particularly at the upper end of the ranges. Whilst the National Data Portal will accept Group C, Group D or Group F, the preference is for FRS to submit the age range based on Group F.

Please note, the recommended groupings may be subject to change based on the development of IRS2.

Submit the age range of the main beneficiary / lead occupier from the following GSS harmonised age groupings:

1.2 Sex and Gender Identity

The UK Government defines sex as something that is assigned at birth, and gender identity as a personal, internal perception of oneself. Therefore, the gender category someone identifies with may not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Recording the sex and gender identity of the main beneficiary/lead occupier will enable the analysis of risk factors.

In December 2018, the Government presented to Parliament a White Paper, Help Shape our Future: The 2021 Census of Population and Housing in England and Wales. This outlined the Office for National Statistics’s (ONS’s) proposal to collect information on gender identity, in addition to the existing question on sex. This is to meet the need for better quality information for equality monitoring and to plan and provide services, as there are currently no official figures for those who identify their gender as different from the sex registered at birth.

To date, there has been no GSS agreed best practice for collecting gender identity data. The proposed gender identity data harmonised standard is under development, but has been designed to collect two pieces of information:

  • Whether a person’s gender identity is the same or different from their sex registered at birth
    • Captured via ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ response options.
  • How people wish to self-describe their gender identity
    • Captured via a free-text box.

As the GSS harmonised sex and gender identity questions/responses are under development, FRS are requested to provide a return based on the Census 2021 questions and responses. However, the questions/responses may be subject to change, pending the development of the GSS harmonised standard and the development of IRS2.

Submit the sex of the main beneficiary / lead occupier from the following categories: 

  • Male
  • Female
  • N/a – not recorded

Submit whether the gender identity of the main beneficiary / lead occupier is the same as their registered sex at birth:

  • Yes 
  • No
    • Freetext to enter gender identity
  • Prefer not to say 
  • N/a – not recorded

1.3 Ethnic Group

The Ethnic Group is special category data, which requires a special category condition from Article 9 of the UK GDPR.

There is a legal duty for public bodies to undertake ethnic monitoring. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) notes that there is no consensus on what constitutes an ethnic group, and membership is something that is self-defined and subjectively meaningful to the person concerned. Since ethnicity is a multifaceted and changing phenomenon, various possible ways of measuring ethnic groups are available and have been used over time. These include common ancestry and elements of culture, identity, religion, language, and physical appearance. What seems to be generally accepted, however, is that ethnicity includes all these aspects, and others, in combination.

The Ethnicity harmonised standard provides the recommended ethnic group question for use in England.

Record the ethnic group or background of the main beneficiary/lead occupier. This will enable FRS to demonstrate that they are meeting their duties in relation to the Equalities Act. It will also enable analysis of risk factors for an ethnic group.

Submit one option that best describes the ethnic group or background of the main beneficiary / lead occupier from the following:

  • White – English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British
  • White – Irish
  • White – Gypsy or Irish traveller
  • White – Any other White background
  • Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups – White and Black Caribbean
  • Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups – White and Black African
  • Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups – White and Asian
  • Mixed / Multiple Ethnic Groups – Any other Mixed / Multiple ethnic background
  • Asian / Asian British – Indian
  • Asian / Asian British – Pakistani
  • Asian / Asian British – Bangladeshi
  • Asian / Asian British – Chinese
  • Asian / Asian British – Any other Asian background
  • Black / African / Caribbean / Black British – African
  • Black / African / Caribbean / Black British – Caribbean
  • Black / African / Caribbean / Black British – Any other Black / African / Caribbean background
  • Other Ethnic Group – Arab
  • Other Ethnic Group – Any other ethnic group
  • Prefer not to say
  • N/a – not recorded

1.4 Disability

Information to identify disability (health data) is special category data, which requires a special category condition from Article 9 of the UK GDPR.

There is a legal duty for public bodies to undertake disability monitoring.

As defined in the Equality Act 2010. A person has a disability if:

a) they have a physical or mental impairment
b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to perform normal day-to-day activities

The GSS advises that to measure disability for the Equality Act 2010, the harmonised standard for long-lasting health conditions and illness should be used together with the standard for activity restriction.

The harmonised questions to collect basic information regarding disability are:

1.    Do you have any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses lasting or expected to last for 12 months or more?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Spontaneous only
  • Don’t know
  • Not disclosed

2.    Does your condition or illness/do any of your conditions or illnesses reduce your ability to carry out day-to-day activities?

  • Yes, a lot
  • Yes, a little
  • Not at all

3.    For how long has your ability to carry out day-to-day activities been reduced?

  • Less than six months
  • Between six months and twelve months
  • Twelve months or more

The definition of a disability from the Equality Act 2010 and the harmonised questions regarding disability have been provided as best practice for FRS to consider when making future amendments to their data collection. However, for the purpose of the data submission to the national data portal, the minimum required return is to identify whether the main beneficiary has a disability.

Record whether the main beneficiary / lead occupier has a disability. This will enable FRS to demonstrate that they are meeting their duties in relation to the Equalities Act. It will also enable analysis of risk factors against disability status.

Submit data pertaining to whether the main beneficiary has a disability from the following categories:

  • Yes
  • No
  • Don’t know
  • Not disclosed
  • N/a – not recorded

1.5 Smoking Status

Information to identify smoking status (health data) is special category data, which requires a special category condition from Article 9 of the UK GDPR.

Smoking is a key fire risk. Cigarettes and smoking materials are the top cause of accidental fire deaths in the home. A positive answer to a question ‘Do you or anyone else in your household smoke?’ is the most straightforward way to record the smoking status of the household.

The smoking status is required for the household as the main beneficiary/lead occupier might not smoke, but others may, thereby potentially posing a risk to the main beneficiary/lead occupier. It is important for FRS to include this risk factor in any analysis of the effectiveness of HFSV.

Submit the smoking status of the household using the following categories:

  • Current smoker(s)
  • Non-smoker(s)
  • Not disclosed
  • N/a – not recorded

1.6 Living Circumstances

Living circumstances refer to the usual occupants of the household. Living alone refers to a one-person household. Individuals may be more at risk from fire when living alone. Record the living circumstances of the main beneficiary/lead occupier. This will enable analysis of risk factors against living circumstances.

Submit the living circumstances using the following categories:

  • Lives alone
  • Lives with other adult(s)
  • Lives with other adult(s) and children
  • Lives with child(ren)
  • Not disclosed
  • N/a – not recorded

1.7 Number of people living within the household

The harmonised definition of a household is one person living alone or a group of people (not necessarily related) living at the same address who share cooking facilities and share a living room or sitting room or dining area.

Recording the number of people (adults and children) who live within the household enables the identification of the number of people at risk of fire that FRS have reached through HFSV.

Submit the number of people living within the household:

  • One person
  • Two people
  • Three people
  • Four people
  • Five people
  • Six or more people
  • N/a – not recorded

Part Two: Visit Data

Throughout its consultation with the sector, NFCC has sought to understand what FRS are delivering as part of their respective HFSV. This section collects data concerning the eight core components and the outputs of the HFSV. The core components are seen by NFCC as an offer that all FRS can and should be providing as part of their HFSV.

2.1a Type of Visit

Due to restrictions resulting from the global pandemic, HFSV are being carried out in different ways. The 2020/21 returns to the Home Office included those HFSV that were carried out face-to-face (defined as ‘crossing the threshold of the property’), along with those conducted remotely.

For the purpose of the data submission, a remote intervention includes fire safety assessments delivered digitally, such as over the telephone or via a video call.

Submit the type of visit using the following categories:

  • Face-to-face
  • Remote intervention

2.1b Targeted Visit?

This data submission refers to whether the household was identified by each individual FRS as requiring a HFSV. It is recognised that there is currently no nationally agreed approach to identify high-risk households or occupiers, or a definition of a targeted visit. Therefore, the definition of ‘targeted’ is determined by each FRS and their locally defined criteria. As a result, targeted visits may include households or occupiers that have been identified through analysis and risk stratification, through partner referrals or following a fire. This information enables the number of targeted visits to be measured against the total number of visits.

Submit if the visit was targeted using the following categories:

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – Don’t target visits

2.2 Number of households identified at risk from:

It is important to identify the number of people at risk of fire that FRS have reached, rather than purely the number of households. However, it is also recognised that FRS attributes risk to the whole household.

To help calculate the number of people FRS has reached (using data recorded in section 1.7), please submit the following data as to whether the people living in the household were at risk from each of the core components of the HFSV.

2.2a Lack of Home Fire Detection

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to a lack of home fire detection/assistive technology.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2b General Fire Hazards

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to general fire hazards.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2c Electrical Hazards

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to electrical hazards.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2d Unsafe Heating

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to unsafe heating.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2e Clutter and Hoarding

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to clutter and hoarding.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2f Deliberate Fires

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to deliberate fires.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2g Smoking-Related Fires

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to smoking-related fires.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.2h Medicines and Medical Devices

Submit whether risk to the household was identified due to medicines and medical devices, such as, medication, oxygen, emollients and dynamic airflow mattresses.

  • Yes
  • No
  • N/a – not recorded

2.3 HFSV Outputs

In addition to fire safety advice, FRS may have taken other actions to eliminate, reduce or isolate risk, such as referrals to other services, signposting or providing fire safety equipment.

2.3a Number of referrals

Multiple referrals may be required for the main beneficiary and other individuals within the household. Therefore, FRS should:

Submit the total number of referrals made for all individuals within the household, due to the risks identified from the core components.

  • No referrals
  • One referral
  • Two referrals
  • Three referrals
  • Four referrals
  • Five or more referrals
  • N/a – not recorded

2.3b Number of signposts

Signposts act as prompts to develop or encourage safer practices in relation to the identified fire risk. Signposts include directing someone to a website, giving someone a campaign pamphlet, or leaving someone with a leaflet. As a result, signposts are harder to capture than formal referrals.

Multiple signposts may be made with the main beneficiary and other individuals within the household.

Submit the total number of signposts made for all individuals within the household, due to the risks identified from the core components.

  • No signposts
  • One signpost
  • Two signposts
  • Three signposts
  • Four signposts
  • Five or more signposts
  • N/a – not recorded

2.3c Number of equipment provided

Risk reduction equipment that may be provided during the HFSV or as part of follow-up activity is not limited to, but may include:

  • Smoke and/or heat detection
  • Automatic suppression systems
  • Fire-retardant throws, bedding and blankets
  • Letterbox covers/protection
  • Smoking aprons
  • Safety ashtrays
  • Cooking timers
  • Fireguards

Submit the total number of risk reduction equipment provided to all individuals within the household, due to the risks identified from the core components.

  • No equipment
  • One piece of equipment
  • Two pieces of equipment
  • Three pieces of equipment
  • Four pieces of equipment
  • Five or more pieces of equipment
  • N/a – not recorded

2.3d Type and number of equipment provided

If risk reduction equipment was provided:

Submit the type and number of risk reduction equipment provided:

Items of Equipment Number Provided (Please submit the number of each item that was provided to the household as an integer between 0 and 5)
4-way electrical extension
Carbon monoxide alarm
Cooking timer
Fire guard
Fire retardant bed pack – double
Fire retardant bed pack – king
Fire retardant bed pack – single
Fire retardant linen pack
Fire retardant spray
Fire retardant throw – double
Fire retardant throw – single
Heat detection
Letter box jammer
Letter box protection
Mattress toper – double
Mattress topper – single
Portable sprinkler unit
Safety ash tray
Smoke detection
Smoking apron
Winter warmth packs

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