About the Safety During Childhood Survey (SDCS) pilot

This survey is for children and young people aged between 12 and 16 years (in year 8 to year 11 at school) and will be completed online in schools. Four classes from the school have been randomly selected to take part. 

During an information session at school, children and young people will be told about the survey and the support that is available to them when taking part. It is important to us that children and young people understand that it is their choice whether or not they take part. We encourage all children and young people who are invited to take part in the survey to speak to a trusted adult to help them decide; they will need to give permission to take part. 

Parents and carers will be invited to their own information session to find out more about the survey. Parents and carers can contact the school to inform us that they do not want their child to take part.

The information collected in the Safety During Childhood Survey (SDCS) will give us valuable insight into the issues that children and young people in the UK experience in relation to violence. It will provide evidence that can be used to shape policy and assess whether children's services are appropriately supported and funded. 

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said: 

Children and young people taking part in the survey have the chance to share their experiences of important issues that affect them. They can be part of an important UK-wide study which aims to improve the lives of children and young people. The survey results will help improve our understanding of the safety issues children face while growing up. They will provide valuable evidence to help inform the government and support organisations to provide advice and support on these issues.

We are carrying out this research in collaboration with the NSPCC. 

We are the UK's largest producer of official statistics. We collect and publish statistics on a range of topics relating to the economy, population, and society. We also run the census for England and Wales. 

The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity. They are dedicated to protecting children at risk of abuse.

The survey will cover topics such as: 

• wellbeing 

• health related behaviours, such as smoking or drinking 

• community violence 

• bullying 

• physical punishment 

• dating violence 

• exploitation 

• emotional abuse 

• physical abuse 

• sexual abuse 

• activities or services available in schools and the community 

Many of the questions in the survey are of a sensitive nature. We have prioritised children's wellbeing and rights throughout the development of the survey, aided by our collaboration with NSPCC. Extensive research was completed to ensure that the survey questions are suitable for children and young people. The resulting survey has been reviewed by both the National Statistician's Data Ethics Committee and the NSPCC Research Ethics Committee. 

It is important that those responding feel comfortable and safe before, during, and after the survey. Therefore, the ONS and the NSPCC have collaboratively developed a strong support and safeguarding framework for those taking part in the survey. 

The survey is anonymous to ensure that those responding answer honestly, without worry or judgement. It is the child or young person's choice whether or not they take part in the survey. They can decide to opt out before the survey begins. During the survey, they can choose to pause or exit at any point and do alternative activities on a tablet.

It is important that children and young people feel comfortable and safe while completing the survey. To help with this, there are various support options available. Those taking part will be told more about these options in their information session and will also see these options within the survey. Support options include: 

• an online chat run by the NSPCC (this can be used before, during or after the survey) 

• someone from the NSPCC, who will be in school to speak with for anyone who wants support, as well as the school's safeguarding team 

• the Safety During Childhood Helpline, which you can call on 0800 085 1886 to speak with someone from the NSPCC at any time 

• the Childline website, which has help and advice on a range of issues 

Our Support options web page has more information on other support that is available. 

Some of the support options will result in the school's safeguarding procedures being followed if a child or young person raises a concern about their own safety, or the safety of someone else. At this stage the child or young person would no longer be anonymous. This will be clearly explained during the information session and when accessing support.

Children and young people taking part in these types of surveys usually find it a rewarding experience. It is an opportunity to talk about concerns and help make a positive impact on children and young people in the future. It also provides a chance to learn more about the difficult topics covered in the survey and increase awareness of the support that is available.

The survey will be completed independently on a tablet, provided by ONS. There will be a security screen on the tablet to ensure that responses are not visible to other people in the room or other participants.

The survey will be completed in the usual classroom during a morning lesson. This ensures that any participant who feels they would like to access support after completing the survey has time to do so before the end of the school day.

The survey usually takes around 30 minutes to complete. Once finished, participants can play games or do activities on the tablet until everyone has finished.

Data collected in the survey are anonymous. The survey will not ask for names, meaning there is no way to tell who took part in the survey, or see how they answered the questions. If a child or young person chooses a support option, this will not be linked to their survey responses. 

We will combine all survey answers to produce anonymous summary statistics, to evaluate the survey, and recommendations, which will be published on the ONS website. The data collected will remain confidential. All survey data collected will be stored securely at the ONS, and only the research team will have access. All survey data will be deleted after two years from the date the survey analysis is completed. 

Personal data relating to children and young people who have either opted out themselves, or been opted out by a parent or carer, will be deleted two weeks after the survey takes place.

There will be separate information sessions where teachers, parents and carers, and children and young people can ask more questions about the survey. However, if you want more information or if you have any further questions, please email  surveyfeedback@ons.gov.uk  or call 0800 085 7376.

This survey is currently in its pilot phase. Therefore, we are particularly interested in how effectively this survey process works for schools, parents and carers, and children and young people, so that we can continue to make improvements for future versions of the survey. 

The SDCS has been in development since 2019. The survey design is a result of extensive discussions with young people, parents, schools, topic experts, support organisations, safeguarding professionals, and government departments. We have also worked with, and learnt from, other survey providers who carried out similar surveys across the world, as well as a similar UK survey that was last run in 2009 by the NSPCC.

If you would like to submit a complaint to the ONS, please readour complaints policy. If you would like to submit a complaint to the NSPCC, please readtheir complaints policy.