WebPortal and LocalDirectgov Schemas

The WebPortal schema defines a standard structure for XML data describing the services of an agency and how its services delivered locally through multiple channels, such as the Web, telephone, face to face.

The LocalDirectgov schema applies further restrictions to the WebPortal schema to ensure its data is suitable for use by the Directgov Web site. XML data that complies with the LocalDirectgov schema will comply with the WebPortal schema, but the converse is not necessarily true.

The LocalDirectgov schema forms part of the infrastructure by which Local Government can contribute content to the national portal for Government services Directgov (www.direct.gov.uk/), as described in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Priority Service and Transformation Outcome R3.

Portals to public sector services can use the XML data compliant with the schemas from multiple agencies to provide a directory of services supplied by those agencies.

The schemas were developed with the backing of the Local Directgov programme to support data feeds to Directgov.

esd-toolkit is being enhanced to provide data feeds in the LocalDirectgov.xsd format to Directgov and to individual local authorities. It will also support upload of data into esd-toolkit in this format. Local authorities can also enter relevant data to esd-toolkit by existing manual and interoperable means and by a new 'portal spreadsheet' under development. Authorities are then urged to share data in the LocalDirectgov.xsd format in their own portals.

esd-toolkit will support upload of data compliant with WebPortal.xsd, but will ignore elements whose services, interactions or channels are from lists other than LGSL, LGIL and LGChL (other lists may be accepted when esd-toolkit is broadened for multi-agency work). esd-toolkit will only download data compliant with LocalDirectgov.xsd and hence will require a ContactPageURL to be specified

Comments on the Web site and help with forum registration can be obtained by e-mail from standards@esd-toolkit.org.

In October 2005 an online forum was introduced by esd-toolkit to support use of the schema. Existing forum and esd-toolkit users can join the forum by selecting it from the "My Profile" page. New users should register and then select the forum.

If you develop/supply a Content Management System or other computer system used in the public sector that supports data exchange compliant with these schemas, please send us details so we can include a reference on this site.

The schemas are made available for use, without guarantees and without licensing costs, by local authorities, community organisations and any other bodies referencing local and community resources. Neither esd-toolkit nor any other party will be liable for any losses due to errors or omissions in the schema or associated resources.

The schemas and all associated resources on this Web site be reproduced free of charge in any format or media without requiring specific permission. This is subject to the material not being used in a derogatory manner or in a misleading context. The source of the material must be acknowledged as the Local Directgov and esd-toolkit and the title all document must be included when being reproduced as part of other publications or services.