2020

Impact of Covid-19 on Recordkeeping in Scotland: 2020-21

Since the beginning of the first lockdown in Spring 2020, the PRSA team have been engaging with colleagues across Scotland to measure, understand and respond to the impact of the COVID-19 working arrangements on the recordkeeping community. 

We have conducted two pulse surveys, in Spring 2020 and Autumn 2020, to capture the challenges and opportunities that the transition to remote working, and new COVID-19 response activities, mean for the sector.

We are pleased to be able to share these highlight reports with you:

• COVID-19 Impact on Record Keeping in Scotland Spring 2020 (430 KB PDF)
• COVID-19 Impact on Record Keeping in Scotland Autumn 2020 (253 KB PDF)

This work is ongoing, and we will be following this up with stakeholders through our planned programme of PRSA surgeries in 2021, and more direct surveying and workshops, as we continue to understand and adapt to the changed working environment.

If you would like to find out more about this work or would like to contribute to further conversations please get in touch with the team at [email protected], or join the conversation directly at the PRSA KHub.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Health Crisis on Recordkeeping in the Scottish Public Sector.

The Assessment Team held one PRSA event in early March before the Covid-19 lockdown ensued. This workshop was aimed at local authorities looking to submit reviewed plans for the Keeper’s agreement and was held at General Register House in Edinburgh. Our next planned event, which was to focus on Element 15 of the Keeper’s Model Plan (public records created or held by third parties), was cancelled as the Team moved to working from home.

Throughout 2020 the Assessment Team continued to issue invitations to authorities to submit records management plans, both first time submissions and reviewed plans, and to participate in the Progress Update Review (PUR) process. Although working from home, the Team were largely able to continue to conduct assessments and support authorities through the submission process. This was aided by NRS introducing the use of Microsoft Teams later in the year, enabling us to have online meetings with stakeholders. We also encouraged stakeholders to engage with the PRSA Knowledge Hub discussion group that was set up in 2018. 

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