Cookie policy
National Self Evaluation Framework (www.nsef.scot)
The Improvement Service hosts this website on our behalf. Like many sites, it may place small files known as cookies on your device. This policy explains what cookies we use and why, and how you can control them.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small data files sent by a website’s server to your device and stored in your browser. They can be used for a range of purposes, such as making a site work securely, remembering preferences, or understanding how pages are used so we can improve them.
You can read a general introduction to cookies at www.whatarecookies.com.
Essential and non-essential cookies
Essential cookies are necessary to deliver the online service you have asked for (this website). The site cannot function properly without them.
Non-essential cookies are any cookies that are not essential. They are often used to understand how a site is used or to remember optional preferences.
Session and persistent cookies
Session cookies last while your browser session is open and are removed when you close the browser (unless your browser restores a session).
Persistent cookies stay for a defined period or until you delete them in your browser settings.
First and third party cookies
First-party cookies are set by our site domain (www.nsef.scot).
Third-party cookies are set by other domains (for example analytics or embedded video providers) when their content or scripts run on our pages.
Cookies used on this website
The table below summarises cookies commonly used on this site. You should align this list with your live configuration (for example Google Tag Manager, embedded media, and Matrix). You cannot opt out of cookies that are strictly essential for the CMS session to work.
| Cookie | Name (typical) | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squiz Matrix session | SQ_SYSTEM_SESSION | Allows the content management system to identify a browser session so pages and features load correctly. Does not contain readable personal data in place of normal use. | Session |
| Google Analytics (GA4) | _ga | Used to distinguish visitors and produce aggregated statistics about how the site is used, where Google Analytics is enabled. | Typically 2 years (vendor-defined) |
| Google Analytics (GA4) | _ga_* (e.g. container-specific) | Used by GA4 to persist session state and measurement where configured. | Varies (often up to 2 years for parts of the identifier; session elements shorter) |
| YouTube (Google) | VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Used where YouTube videos are embedded, to estimate bandwidth and player performance. | About 6 months (vendor-defined) |
| YouTube (Google) | YSC | Used where YouTube videos are embedded, to store play interaction preferences. | Session |
| YouTube (Google) | PREF | May be set by YouTube to remember player and preference-related choices across sessions. | About 8 months (vendor-defined) |
If you add other tools (for example advertising tags, chat widgets, or additional video providers), update this table and your consent messaging to match.
How to accept or reject cookies
Depending on how this site is configured, you may see a cookie or consent notice when you first visit. Where offered, you can accept or decline non-essential cookies. If you decline, only cookies needed for the site to operate should be set.
Most browsers let you block or delete cookies, or limit them to certain sites. Use your browser’s Help or privacy settings. Blocking some cookies may mean parts of the site do not work as intended.
If Google Analytics is used and you want to limit what Google collects, you can use Google’s browser add-on and privacy controls as described in Google’s documentation.
Private or incognito browsing can limit how long some cookies persist on your device for that session.
Related information
The Improvement Service publishes organisation-wide statements that may also apply to services we host. For reference:
Changes to this policy
This policy may be updated from time to time. Please check this page periodically for the latest version.