The National Archives has produced a host of relevant guidance to help you manage your transition.
Machinery of Government
The Machinery of Government Changes guidance covers all aspects of managing the transfer of information records and knowledge in the event of a machinery of government change.
Machinery of Government Changes (PDF, 0.49Mb)
The National Audit Office has also produced a short guide to reorganising arm’s-length bodies which includes a section on managing information.
Dissolution and privatisation
This guidance should be used in conjunction with the Machinery of Government guidance and gives more detail on issues that relate specifically to organisations being abolished or privatised.
Dissolution of Public Bodies (PDF, 0.14Mb)
Privatisation of Public Bodies (PDF, 0.20Mb)
For information on handling websites in the event of a change see OSP27 (below, in particular section 9):
OSP27: UK Central Government Websites (PDF, 0.09Mb)
For more information on issues relating to crown copyright see the following documents:
Copyright and related rights (PDF, 0.68Mb)
Copyright in works commissioned by crown (PDF, 0.05Mb)
Transferring digital information
Find out more about exporting and transferring electronic records data between systems.
Cabinet Office Public Bodies Reform: checklist for departments
Download the Cabinet Office’s guidance on Public Bodies Reform:
Public Bodies Reforms: Checklist for departments (PDF, 0.42Mb)
Managing information risks
The process of reorganising arm’s-length bodies places information at risk. Download the documents below to help you to manage that risk:
Managing Information Risk (PDF, 3.70Mb)
Information Matters (PDF, 1.68Mb)
Risk Assessment Handbook (PDF, 0.33Mb)