ONS Safe Researcher Training (ONS-SRT)

Researchers wishing to access any data in Scotland's National Safe Havens, must have successfully completed appropriate training.

PLEASE NOTE: SCADR / ADR Scotland no longer deliver the ONS Safe Researcher Training after 04 January 2026. Any new applicants should contact ONS or UKDS to apply for their training courses.

The ONS-SRT online course is free of charge and covers:

  • researcher responsibilities in handling individual-level data;
  • tips for working efficiently in safe research settings and
  • practical advice for generating safe research outputs.

ONS Safe Researcher Training is recognised as providing approved information governance training by the Scottish Government Statistics Public Benefit and Privacy Panel (SPBPP) and NHS Scotland Public Benefit and Privacy Panel for Health and Social Care (HSC-PBPP). The ONS-SRT is currently the only training course accredited by the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) under the Digital Economy Act.

 

ONS Safe Researcher Training provided by other organisations

For details of ONS-SRT courses delivered by ONS/SRS and UKDS, please see 'book yourself onto a ONS-SRT course' below. 

Attendance of the online ONS-SRT course and successfully passing the online test:

Successful completion of the ONS Safe Researcher Training (ONS-SRT) course requires individuals to attend the online training session AND pass the online test.

To book yourself on a course please contact either:

 
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Learning Hub

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) Learning Hub is where you can book your free Safe Researcher Training (SRT) course. 

The SRT course will: 

  • cover data security and personal responsibility, including legal and procedural breaches and penalties
  • introduce a framework for data access (the Five Safes)
  • explain the theory behind Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC), how to make outputs safe for release, and the principles used.
  • If you have any enquiries after taking the course, please email:  Accredited.Researcher.Support@ons.gov.uk.
​UK DATA SERVICE (Safe Researcher Training — UK Data Service)

NOTE: Both the ONS and UKDS courses provide the same training and accreditation as the ONS-SRT course, previously run by SCADR.

 

How long is the ONS Safe Researcher Training valid for?

Specific data controllers may have specific training course requirements, so please do check with your data controller or research coordinator, to confirm that this course is right for your needs.

At the time of writing:

  • HSC-PBPP and SPBPP require ONS Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 3 years.
  • National Records Scotland Census require ONS Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 5 years
  • SLS Approved Researcher Status requires ONS Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 3 years
  • Provisional accredited researcher status under the DEA requires ONS Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 3 years
  • Full accredited researcher status under the DEA requires ONS Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 5 years. 

Please note that the list above is not exhaustive and is determined by respective panels and data controllers..

 

Renewing your existing ONS Safe Researcher Training

PLEASE NOTE: ONS Safe Researcher Training is no longer being delivered by SCADR / ADR Scotland in 2026.

If your ONS Safe Researcher Training needs to be refreshed, you can renew your training without attending the course by reviewing the ONS-SRT course materials and taking the online test. Please note that particular data owners / controllers may require you to attend the course when renewing your accreditation. Please check with your data owner / controller if you are unsure whether this is the case.

PLEASE NOTE: if you have not previously completed the ONS-SRT course with SCADR, you should instead contact the organisation that you completed the training with previously and they will be able to provide details for you to renew your training.

For details of ONS-SRT courses delivered by ONS/SRS and UKDS, please see 'ONS Safe Researcher Training provided by other organisations' below.