Accuracy and reliability

Overall accuracy

Statistics Denmark provides guidance to municipalities on correct practices for data reporting. However, they do not possess the necessary knowledge to assess the variations in municipal procedures concerning disability services provided to children and youth. Due to municipalities using different digital systems for data reporting and transmission, the data are not consistently and uniformly registered.

For example, one municipality may categorize a specific measure under a legislative section included in the statistics, whereas another municipality may categorize the same measure under a different section not included in the statistics.

To ensure uniformity in data transmission and reporting, municipalities are obligated to implement and adhere to the regulations outlined in the Databekendtgørelsen (i.e. The Executive Order on Data Transmission in the Social Policy Area).

The statistics include data from 98 municipalities, and the number of granted disability services reported and approved by these municipalities is considered complete.

Sampling error

Not relevant for these statistics since the statistic's method is complete enumeration.

Non-sampling error

The statistics encompass data from all 98 municipalities in Denmark, summarizing the data approved by these municipalities.

There may be measurement errors regarding the period variable for certain measures. Some municipalities tend to designate the start date of a measure as the date it is granted, whereas others correctly specify it as the date the measure takes effect.

Municipalities vary in their practices for assessing and providing internal housing offers. If a municipality cannot accommodate support and special care for children and youth with reduced physical or mental capacities in relevant daycare, school, or club institutions, they provide an offer based on regulations outlined in the Act on Social Services. What one municipality registers under a specific legislative section included in the statistics may be recorded under a different section in another municipality, not included in the statistics.

Administration and assessment of disability services may involve multiple departments within a municipality, which poses a risk of underreporting cases. However, rigorous validation processes conducted in collaboration with municipalities aim to minimize such risks.

While municipalities are required to report all disability measures granted to disadvantaged children and young people, it is acknowledged that some cases may be missing. The validation processes and annual meetings with municipalities are designed to mitigate these errors.

Quality management

Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.

Quality assurance

Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.

Quality assessment

The statistics are published annually, no later than 6 months after the end of the reference period. This ensures that users have current and relevant knowledge of disability measures granted by the municipalities.

The 4 statistical tables presented in Statbank Denmark (HANDBU01, HANDBU02, HANDBU03, and HANDBU04) enable users to address relevant questions regarding disability measures provided to children and youth.

Accompanied by a publication of a NYT-article and detailed documentation, these statistical tables ensure accessibility for users. The registry also offers researchers and ministries the opportunity to explore complex aspects and questions related to specific measures and their interconnections.

The statistics are considered accurate and reliable due to their complete enumeration methodology. Overall statistical uncertainty is assessed as low. Quality assurance is maintained through an annual process of data validation in collaboration with municipalities. Each municipality receives a validation list derived from Statistics Denmark's database, enabling them to assess data quality, make necessary corrections, and ultimately approve reported data.

The statistics encompass data from all 98 municipalities in Denmark, covering the period from January 1, 2022, and onwards. Significant variations in the number of specific measures can occur when comparing municipalities, even when accounting for differences in population size. These variations may stem from disparities in housing offers and assessment practices among municipalities.

Data revision - policy

Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.

Data revision practice

The statistical register, which serves as the foundation for these statistics, is a longitudinal register updated annually. Revisions of previous years are carried out upon the release of new reference periods.

Because the register contains longitudinal data, revisions extending several years back can occur. Data contributors have the ability to make daily corrections to previously reported data or add new information. These changes and additions are incorporated into subsequent publications for the relevant reference year. It is anticipated that relatively few revisions will pertain to periods extending more than a few years back.

As this is the initial publication of these statistics, no revisions have been made for the current release.