Safe Researcher Training (SRT)

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

PLEASE NOTE: As of January 2026 SCADR / ADR Scotland no longer deliver Safe Researcher Training. If you require SRT accreditation, please follow the process for accessing SRT delivered by ONS/SRS or UKDS (see Accessing Safe Researcher Training).

The Safe Researcher Training (SRT) online course is free of charge and covers:

  • data security and personal responsibility, including legal and procedural breaches and penalties
  • introduces a framework for secure data access (the Five Safes)
  • explains the theory behind Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC), how to make outputs safe for release, and the principles used

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 SRT course is currently the only training course accredited by the UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) under the Digital Economy Act.

Attendance of the online Safe Researcher Training course and successfully passing the online test:

Successful completion of the Safe Researcher Training course requires individuals to attend the online training session AND pass the online test.

Accessing Safe Researcher Training

The Safe Researcher Training (SRT) course is currently delivered by ONS/SRS and UKDS.

Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Access to the SRT course is via the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Learning Hub, which can be accessed as part of the process for gaining either full or provisional researcher accreditation – please see details under section 5 ‘Become an accredited researcher using the Hub’ at the following link:

​UK DATA SERVICE (UKDS)

You can apply to attend the SRT course delivered by UKDS – please see 'Safe Researcher Training' listed under 'Upcoming Events' at the following link for further details:

NOTE: Safe Researcher Training delivered by ONS/SRS and UKDS provides the same training and accreditation as the SRT course previously delivered by SCADR.

How long is my 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 Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 3 years.
  • National Records Scotland Census require Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 5 years
  • SLS Approved Researcher Status requires Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 3 years
  • Provisional accredited researcher status under the DEA requires Safe Researcher Training to be refreshed every 3 years
  • Full accredited researcher status under the DEA requires 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 Safe Researcher Training

PLEASE NOTE: As of January 2026 SCADR / ADR Scotland no longer deliver Safe Researcher Training. If you need to refresh your existing SRT accreditation, please follow the process for accessing the SRT training delivered by UKDS or ONS/SRS (see Accessing Safe Researcher Training).

If your Safe Researcher Training needs to be refreshed, you can renew your training without attending the course by reviewing the SRT course materials and taking the online test. Please note that particular data owners / controllers may require you to re-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 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.