SLaM - DfE linkage
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
356975
Contact name
Alice Wickersham
Contact email
Research summary
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust CRIS data linkage with education data from the Department for Education
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0229
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust’s (SLaM) Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) removes identifiers from SLaM’s electronic health records to enable research using anonymised health data. The Department of Education (DfE) holds individual-level education records from state-funded primary and secondary schools across England. We are seeking approval for SLaM’s Confidential Data Linkage Service (CDLS) to securely transfer to the DfE a database of identifiers (first name, last name, date of birth, address/postcode) for children who have accessed SLaM services. The DfE will use these identifiers to match CRIS pseudonyms to their education records. They will then ingest a de-identified education database and linked CRIS pseudonyms into the ONS Secure Research Service. Using the CRIS pseudonym, the CDLS will create anonymised datasets containing mental health data which can be used to conduct research projects using linked education records in the ONS Secure Research Service. Linked datasets accessed and used for research will be fully anonymised and safeguarded by the ONS "Five Safes" data protection framework. Only ONS accredited researchers with an NHS research passport or honorary contract will have access to these data for approved projects.
Research programme
There is a critical need for greater communication between medical and educational sectors to begin to combat mental health. This data linkage builds on an existing use case to help add knowledge and direction to this, providing evidence to help families, clinicians, and health and educational policy-makers. Understanding a child’s functional abilities (especially their educational outcomes) is integral to assessment, diagnosis and treatment process of child mental health disorders. Furthermore, of those accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), a large percentage of school age children and their carers seek psychiatric help because of concerns regarding progress at school. Hence an important and common objective for families who seek child and adolescent mental health care is to get their child back on track at school. To achieve this, we present a wide range of indicative projects which will be conducted using this data linkage, from the impact of early-onset psychosis on attainment, to clinical and educational pathways before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This will continue the impactful research on mental health and education which commenced with earlier iterations of this data linkage.
Research database title
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust CRIS data linkage with education data from the Department for Education
Establishment organisation
Office for National Statistics
Establishment organisation address
Government Buildings
Cardiff Road
Newport
NP10 8XG