Systems guidance: DfE Sign-In

What is DfE Sign-in?

DfE Sign-in is the Department for Education’s secure portal for accessing a range of education services. This help article is designed to help schools, trusts, and local authorities manage their DfE Sign-in accounts and resolve common access issues.

It is a secure login system that allows users to access various Department for Education services, including View Your Education Data (VYED), Get Information About Schools (GIAS), and more.

Creating an account

If you do not have a DfE Sign-in account, visit https://services.signin.education.gov.uk/ and follow the instructions to create one. You will need to be invited or approved by your organisation’s approver (typically a headteacher or senior administrator).

Note for training providers: A DfE Sign-in account is only required for training providers who have a contract or agreement with us. Once you have a contract or agreement with us you will be able to set up a DfE Sign-in account

Linking to an organisation

Once your account is created, ensure it is linked to the correct organisation. You can check which organisations you have access to under ‘Organisations’. 

An approver at your organisation will need to review and approve any organisation requests as well as assign the relevant service(s). 

Please note that you won’t be able to see details of the approver(s) at an organisation until your access request has been approved. 

If your request isn’t approved withing 5 working days, then please contact our support team for  assistance. You can find more information on how to do this on DfE Sign-in.

Requesting access to services

Access to services is managed through roles assigned in DfE Sign-in. There are two types of users:

If you are an Approver

1. Log in to DfE Sign-in
2. Go to 'Services'
3. Select 'Add services to my account'
4. Choose the service and click 'Continue'
5. Select the required roles or forms
6. Click 'Continue' – the service will now appear on your dashboard

If you are an End User

1. Log in to DfE Sign-in
2. Go to 'Services'
3. Select 'Request access to a service'
4. Choose the service and click 'Continue'
5. Select any sub-services (if applicable)
6. Review and submit your request
7. An approver from your organisation will approve or reject the request

Common enquiries

1. My account is not linked to the correct organisation
2. I don’t have access to a specific service
3. I’m part of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT)
4. Why was my account deactivated?
5. How do I change my email address?
6. How do I change my password?
7. I am not receiving the verification code

8. Our approvers have all left/there is no one to approve my account

    

1. My account is not linked to the correct organisation

Use the 'Add organisation' feature in DfE Sign-in. Your organisation’s approver(s) will need to approve the link and assign the appropriate roles.

2. I don’t have access to a specific service

Check your assigned roles under 'User Management'. If the required role is missing, request it through DfE Sign-in or contact your organisation’s approver(s).

3. I’m part of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT)

Roles can be assigned at the MAT level, so you may not need separate access for each academy. Confirm with an approver that the role is assigned at the correct level.

4. Why was my account deactivated?

If your account was deactivated it might have been because your account hasn’t been used in a while, email and username don’t match, or you’re using a generic email address like Hotmail or gmail. We advise users not to use a generic email address (e.g., headmaster@, admin@) as they compromise security and one of the conditions of signing up for an account.

5. How do I change my email address?

If you need to change or update the email address associated with your account, follow these steps: 

1. Go to 'profile'. 
2. Select 'change my email address' from the related actions. 
3. Enter your new email address. 
4. We'll send you an email to this address with a code. 
5. Enter the code into the box provided and confirm. 

The next time you sign in, you will need to use this email address. Your old email address will no longer be recognised. 

6. How do I change my password?

You can request a new password reset email by going to https://services.signin.education.gov.uk/ and selecting 'Start now'. 

On the next page enter your email address, check that its entered correctly and select 'Next', then on the following page select 'Forgot password?'

A password reset email will be sent to you. If you don't receive it, then please check your junk/spam folder. If the email isn't there then please ask your IT team or provider to check if DfE Sign-in emails are being blocked by a spam filter or firewall.

Verification emails are sent from 'DfE Sign-in (via Microsoft)' account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com. If your IT team or provider can't resolve the issue, and you require further assistance, then please don't hesitate to contact us. If you need urgent access to your account to fulfil business requirements, then please state this when you contact us.

7. I am not receiving the verification code

Verification emails are sent from 'DfE Sign-in (via Microsoft)' account-security-noreply@accountprotection.microsoft.com. If your IT team or provider can't resolve the issue, and you require further assistance, then please don't hesitate to contact us. If you need urgent access to your account to fulfil business requirements, then please state this when you contact us.  

8. Our approvers have all left/there is no one to approve my account

If you need to set up a new approver, please provide the following details to https://help.signin.education.gov.uk/contact-us:

• approver's name  
• approver's email address  
• organisation name  

• organisation URN or DfE Number  

   

Need support?

If you continue to experience issues, contact your organisation’s approver or visit the DfE Sign-in help pages.

If you have a specific query about that is not covered by this information or the guidance, please contact us using the Customer Help Portal.