Data Literacy Survey
Gloucestershire County Council Steps to data literacy What?
Why are we being asked to complete another survey?
This survey is part of the Data and Intelligence Strategy programme of work approved by Cabinet in October 2024 and supports the wider Skills Priority Programme of work outlined in the strategy. It’s designed to understand how confident and skilled you feel when using and managing information in your role.
By filling it out, you’ll help us understand how you work with information, what problems you face, and where you might need more support. We’ll use what you tell us to create better training and tools; as well as making better decisions based on data to improve our services.
This is being sent to everyone in GCC (although this has been completed by Adults Social Care), so you will find that some of the questions may not be relevant to you in your role, if that is the case then please select the not applicable option. If you need any support in completing this survey, please speak to your line manager.
When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.
🧾 What is data?
Data is simply information. You may not think you use data, but you do. For example, when you record information about aspects of your job role or service, update records or systems, or collect feedback, you are using data.
This might include:
- The number of people you support
- Types of information you work with
- Feedback from individuals Case notes or outcomes
- Recording of protected characteristics
- Financial information
- Performance information
- Population information
- Contract management
- Survey analysis
- User and customer data
- Carbon footprint
- Number of pages views, clicks, likes etc.
- Time
- Needs analysis Incidents occurred /avoided
🧾 What is information?
Information is what you get when data is processed, organized, or interpreted to make it meaningful and useful. While data is the raw input (e.g., numbers, dates, names), information is the output that helps you understand patterns, trends, or insights. It supports decision-making, planning, and evaluation.
🧠 What is data literacy?
Data literacy means being able to understand, work with, and talk about data in everyday life. It helps us make better decisions and support both our communities and our workforce more effectively. It is important in every role across the council. It helps us: ·
- Understand our communities better
- Make informed decisions
- Improve services
- Work more efficiently
- Show the impact we’re making
To do this well, we need to know how confident you feel using data and managing information in your current role.
🛠️ What are data skills?
Data skills are the practical abilities you need to work with data confidently and effectively When you submit this form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.