Local Insight in 2020

Local Insight is an evolving product and this year is no different. This blog outlines the Local Insight product plan for 2020.

The plan focuses on updates that will help save you time, get data for the areas you care about and be more confident in using the data. This is based upon feedback gathered during the Local Insight user group as well as feedback we receive throughout the year. 

Above and beyond the developments listed below, there is scope for additional improvements, so please keep voicing any development ideas you have. 

Save time

Spend less time searching for data and more time using data.

Search for indicators on the map more easily 

One of our clients described Local Insight as their Data Dictionary. We love this description as it captures the breadth of data available in the tool (over 1000 indicators in fact!). With so much data available, being able to find what you are looking for quickly is important. 

This year we will add a search bar to the Data dropdown on the Map page so that you can hone in on what you are interested in, in far fewer clicks.

Export the (N) values on the Data for more areas popup

This update will improve the export from the Data for more areas popup. You will be able to export total counts figures (where applicable) alongside percentage figures so that you can do further analysis or build your own visualisations.

Identify your areas with ease using MSOA names 

The House of Commons Library has created a set of recognisable names for MSOAs (also available on an interactive map). A number of users have requested that we add these names to Local Insight alongside the area codes so that standard areas display with more meaningful names. As part of this, we also propose changing the LSOA names to incorporate the name of the parent MSOA to help users have a better idea of where the LSOA is located.
This will make it easier to:

  • Identify local areas when hovering over the MSOA or LSOA data on the map
  • Find the MSOAs/LSOAs you want quickly when creating areas based on standard areas

MSOA names

See data for all the areas you care about  

No area is off bounds. 

Local Authority boundary changes

As of 1 April 2019, a number of new Unitary Authorities were formed. This spring, we are updating the Local Authority boundaries in Local Insight to reflect these changes.

Display multiple area boundaries on the map 

The current interface allows you to select a single custom area to view on the map at a time. With this update you will be able to view multiple custom areas, or even a whole category of areas, simultaneously. This will make it easier to see how your areas compare on different datasets within the map itself. 

Areas on the map

Be more confident in the data

Access resources and improved guidance so that you can be more confident using Local Insight. 

Revamping the Help Centre

We are improving the Help Centre to give you all the information you need to get the most out of Local Insight. You can look forward to more dynamic content including:

  • A new section on open data resources
  • More “how to” guides and blogs 
  • More information on how data is apportioned and aggregated

If you have any suggestions for resources you would like to see, please send them to support@ocsi.co.uk 

Help Centre

Lastly, if you would like to discuss any of the upcoming developments, please email support@ocsi.co.uk