The records management process helps to ensure that historically significant records, including electronic records, are smoothly transferred to archives for permanent preservation. Maintaining communication with the record creators and managers increases effectiveness and reduces costs by ensuring that the records are efficiently transferred and retrieved.
We provide further advice on managing records in our information and records management section.
The Renaissance London Information and Records Management Project has produced a number of toolkits and guides for staff developing information or records management. Although targeted at museum staff, the principles are applicable for those who are not record management specialists.
Managing school records
Take a look at our transferring school records guidance which lists some of the records that are suitable for transfer to a local authority archive if an academy school closes. You will also find some records which are not suitable for transfer.
Retention and Transfer Management Framework
Charity records and archives
This Retention and Transfer Management Framework is designed to support recordkeeping for the charity and voluntary sector. Charities and voluntary organisations play a significant role within our society, representing a variety of aspects of daily life.
Archivists and Records Managers share a common interest in managing the records lifecycle and this framework unites approaches to records retention from archival and records management. The framework provides tools that both professions can use to manage each stage of the records lifecycle, as well as model rules for the retention of records.
Before reading the framework, please first read the special notice about documents relevant to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
- The Retention and Transfer Management Framework
- Case study: Amnesty International
- Case study: Archdiocese of Southwark
Managing electronic records
Our essential records management webpage provides guidance on how you can manage electronic records in the absence of any supporting infrastructure such as an Electronic Records Management System (ERMS).
The Digital Continuity Service can be used by the public sector to help keep valuable digital information usable over time.
You can also view our webpage on digital collections.