[SIMS] ATF SEN error - LA and Capita won't support

[mariohi]

We got ATF provided by Birmingham LA Admissions, looks like there is a problem with SEN tag which is causing ATF to fail when importing.

 

When importing ATF process ends with this error and none of the applicants are imported:

 

The applicant's SEN details will not be imported due to the following error: A mandatory tag is missing. It can be identified with the xpath of /ATfile/ATFpupilData/Pupil/SENhistory/SENneeds/SENneed

 

After lots of ping pong emails between LA and Capita looks like none of them will help with this issue which is an absolute joke. They already delayed whole process for over month and we still ended up with none working ATF.

 

Capita says

" Unfortunately as we have not created the file we are unable to make these changes for you, it is something that your LA would need to do or it can be done within school."

 

LA says:

"I’m sorry but I don’t have the ability to remove the SEN data either, this would be down to our IT and software suppliers and they are advising they can’t provide a technical solution.

 

We do not have access to test instances on any of the school MIS systems so cannot properly evaluate any changes that are made to the file structure.

 

As such, neither CACI nor IT&D can provide any technical solution to the issues.

 

Most Schools are indicating they are missing SEN Start Dates. This tag is shown as optional in the DfE schema so if missing this it should not prevent the file from loading, except that the affected MIS has decided that, if there is SEN data there should be a Start Date and so incorrectly treats the tag as Mandatory. The missing SEN Start whilst technically the file should be loadable by the MIS, if all the data were present then the tag would not be missing and so would not cause an issue."

 

What are our options here other than entering data manually?

 

Is it simply a matter of opening ATF with Notepad++ and replacing all SEN info with ?

We will then import data via CTF or enter manually (better SEN only than all data).

 

Apparently lots of secondary schools are affected by this in Birmingham.

Any help will be appreciated.

[CAM]

You can modify CTF files in notepad. Back up the file, take out the SEN tags and enter the SEN data manually using the original file for reference. Or you could enter some dummy dates and fix them after import and you have investigated what the correct dates are.

 

I recommend learning some beginner XML concepts as it helps greatly when manually sifting through a CTF file.

Edited July 14, 2020 by CAM

[mariohi]

@CAM Thank you for the quick reply. So can I remove SEN tags completely from ATF and won't get an error when importing?

[CAM]

Yeah should work but as I said, backup the file.

[mariohi]

So I removed all SEN tags but there is now another FSM error which doesn't give any specific details:

 

Error ID Application Ref Number Pupil Forename Pupil Surname Description Is Critical

 

0 N/A N/A N/A Unexpected Error: The INSERT statement conflicted with the CHECK constraint "chk_adm_application_free_school_meals_history_start_date". The conflict occurred in database "sims", table "sims.adm_application_free_school_meals_history". The statement has been terminated.

 

I checked the syntax with XML Tools plugin for Notepad++ and syntax looks fine. No idea where to look for this ...

[coolhands]

just delete the free school meals lines in notepad then. so you can import. Then add FSM info yourself directly later (is it just 1 pupil?)