Abbreviations and acronyms

Do not use points or spaces

This includes proper names.

Examples:

 ✅ EHC plan

 ❌ E.H.C. plan

 ✅  VI

 ❌ V.I

 ✅  NHS

 ❌ N.H.S.

Test with users, find out how familiar they are with your abbreviation

We use EHC all the time in the Local Offer, but we don't know how a user got to the page. We will need to explain it the first time it is used on each and every page.

There will, over time, be examples of abbreviations that everyone will know. Like NHS. But for now, I would always the full phrase first.

If an acronym is better understood than the full text, use that.

People will recognise and know the meaning of acronyms without necessarily knowing, or needing to know, what the letters stand for.

Examples:

NHS

NSPCC

You may need to include a brief description alongside your acronym.

Example:

"the children's charity NSPCC" instead of "the NSPCC"

Use all capital letters for initialisms

If the individual letters are pronounced use capital letters.

Examples:

EHC

SEN

NDCF

Start with a capital letter for acronyms

If the short form version is said aloud as one word.

Examples:

Sendiass

Unicef

Provide full text explanations

If you use an abbreviation or acronym more than once, explain it in full at least on the first use. Generally write out in full and provide the short form version in brackets after.

For well-known abbreviations and acronyms give the short form version followed by the full wording.

Examples:

Sendiass (Special educational needs and disabilities information, advice and support service)

DSActive (Down's Syndrome Active)

BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)

If an organisation is only mentioned once, you do not need to provide its acronym. But do if it's useful information.

Consider providing a full explanation each time

Writing out an acronym in full only on first use is a common style guide recommendation. But users may only read one section of your page and miss the full version.

📝  Have a look and see where you have used acronyms and abbreviations. In the discussion, share how you have dealt with these.