Safety During Childhood Survey frequently asked questions

The Safety During Childhood Survey (SDCS) is a voluntary online survey for young people aged between 16 and 25 years.

Many of the questions in this survey are of a sensitive nature. The survey asks about experiences of child abuse and neglect. The following topics are covered:  

• well-being  

• exposure to domestic abuse  

• neglect

• criminal exploitation     

• emotional abuse   

• physical abuse   

• sexual abuse 

• help-seeking  

Please watch this YouTube video about the Safety During Childhood Survey for more information.

The well-being and rights of those who will be completing the survey is a priority. A lot of research has been completed with a range of groups to ensure that the methods and survey questions are suitable for young people.

This is a pilot of this survey. This means we are still testing the survey and getting feedback, to make sure the survey is the best it can be.

The survey will help us to better understand abuse and neglect that children may face. It will allow us to provide evidence to the government and support organisations to make decisions and assess whether children’s services have the funding they need. 

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

We (the Office for National Statistics) are carrying out this survey. 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.

We have randomly chosen people aged 16 to 25 years who are living in England and Wales from the Personal Demographic Service. This is an electronic database of all NHS patients. The ONS has access to this information to create statistical outputs and for sampling the general population. We do not have access to your medical records.

The survey is confidential and will be made anonymous. This means we will not link your survey answers back to you and ensures that you can answer honestly, without worry or judgement.

To contact you about the survey, we need your name and address. This information is kept separate from survey responses. It is deleted within 13 days of you receiving your first letter, which is when all reminder letters have been sent.

The survey will does not collect any personal data. Even if you choose to seek support from one of the support options provided in the survey, your survey answers will not be shared.

We will combine all survey answers to produce anonymous summary statistics. You will not be identified from any survey response data we collect or statistics we publish. The anonymised survey data will be deleted two years after the findings have been published.

Please see the survey specific privacy notice and the ONS corporate privacy notice for more information.

No, it is your choice whether you take part. If you choose not to take part in the survey, you will not be affected in any way.

People taking part in similar research usually find it is a rewarding experience. This is an opportunity for you to share your experiences and help make a positive impact on children and young people in the future. It also provides a chance to learn more about the topics covered in the survey and increase your awareness of the support that is available.

Only those who are selected for the survey can take part. The survey is completed online, for example, on a computer, laptop or smartphone. If you have been selected, you will have been sent a unique access code to enter the survey. You can complete the survey at a time and place that you choose. We suggest finding somewhere private, for example, a room where you can be on your own, to fill out the survey.

The time it takes to complete the survey will depend on your experiences. The survey should take around 15 minutes but could be shorter or longer.

Our dedicated web page  has information on support options available.

Unfortunately, the survey has not been translated into Welsh for the pilot. If the pilot is successful, we will aim to have the survey translated for the full launch.

It is not possible to move backwards through the questions in the survey. If you decide to exit the survey, you can access the survey again from the same place, but you cannot return to previous questions or answers.

Responses are saved after each question is answered. If you decide you do not want to continue with the survey, you can stop at any point. However, question responses up to this point will be saved.

If you wish to delete responses you have submitted, please contact our Data Protection Officer at DPO@statistics.gov.uk. However, please be aware that we may not be required to comply if the data are being held for statistical purposes only. You can visit the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to get further information on the rights available to you and the circumstances under which you can exercise them.

If you are worried about someone finding out that you have viewed this webpage or took part in the survey, you can delete your browsing history. You can usually choose to delete:  

• websites you have visited (your "browsing history") 

• information that websites use to remember you 

• temporary files that speed up loading times 

To do this, you must: 

1. find the settings menu: look for a menu icon (like three dots or lines) or the "settings" menu in your browser  

2. go to history: find an option for "history" or "privacy and security"  

3. clear data: select the option to "clear browsing data" or delete history  

4. choose options: select the timeframe and make sure the "browsing history" box is checked  

5. confirm: click "clear data" or the equivalent button to finish

The feedback interview is an online discussion with up to two members from the research team. In the interview, we will ask you for your views on your experience of taking part in the survey and communication from the ONS. We would like to find out what you think was good about the survey and what you think could be improved. This includes everything from the letters you received to the support available to you. We will not ask about your responses to the survey.

The interview will last around 60 minutes and will take place online through Microsoft Teams. This means you will need access to a suitable device, such as a laptop or tablet, to take part.

These interviews will be a great way for you to help us make the survey the best it can be for those who complete it in the future.

Those who are chosen to take part and complete the interview will be given a £40 online voucher to say thank you.

If you complete the survey, we will ask you if you would like to express an interest in taking part in a feedback interview. Taking part in the feedback interview is optional, you do not have to take part if you do not want to.

Your contact details will be collected separately from the SDCS survey. We will send you further information on the feedback interviews and if you would still like to take part you can complete the feedback interview permission form. We may not interview everyone who completes the permission form.

If you are selected to take part, we will arrange a suitable time for the interview to take place.

If you have been selected to take part in the survey, but choose not to, we welcome any feedback you have by emailing us at sdcs@ons.gov.uk.

A lot of research has taken place during the development of the survey and the safeguarding procedure. This included but is not limited to research with: 

• professionals such as school staff, support organisations, safeguarding professionals, child protection leads and research specialists across academia  

• children and young people with and without experiences of abuse as a child 

• parents of children and young people with and without experiences of abuse as a child 

• government departments 

• ethics board members (internally and externally) 

• the public 

More information on the previous research can be found in section 16, Related links

As a thank you for taking part in the SDCS, we will provide you with an online voucher for completing the survey. If you decide to take part and complete a feedback interview, a further voucher will be provided.

About your voucher  

The e-voucher can be spent online or in-store, depending on the retailer you choose. At the end of the survey, you will be given a link to the voucher company website (Pluxee) and unique codes to claim your voucher online.

It is essential that you keep a record of your unique codes given to you at the end of the survey. As the survey is made anonymous, we do not know who has completed the survey and therefore cannot provide you with your voucher details in any other way.

To claim your voucher, you will be asked to provide your name and email address to Pluxee. This information will be collected separately from your survey responses and will only be used by Pluxee to provide you with your online voucher.

If you take part in a feedback interview, you should receive an email with your e-voucher code within 30 working days of the interview.

You will have six months to claim your voucher.

Who is the e-voucher provider?  

E-vouchers are provided by Pluxee, a subsidiary of Sodexo. 

Where can I spend my e-voucher? 

The e-voucher can be spent at a wide range of retailers – including both online and in-store options. The retailers available are subject to change, in accordance with Pluxee's terms and conditions. The most up-to-date retailer information and instructions will be sent with the e-voucher. Please be aware that individual retailer terms and conditions apply.  

Help with your e-voucher code  

If you have any questions or problems with claiming or using your e-voucher, please contact Pluxee for free on 0800 505 3924. Pluxee provides support seven days a week between 08:00 and 18:00.  

If you have not received your e-voucher  

If you have not received your e-voucher, please first check your "spam" or "junk" folders. Your voucher could take up to 30 working days after providing your email address. If you cannot locate your voucher, please contact our free Survey Enquiry Line on 0800 085 7376.    

Opening times are:  

• 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday  

• 09:00 to 13:00, Saturday

How can I get more information?

If you want more information or if you have any further questions, please email sdcs@ons.gov.uk or call 0800 085 7376.

How do I make a complaint?

If you wish to make a complaint to the ONS, please follow our ONS complaints policy.