This report by the National Centre for Social Research summarises key studies on children’s experiences with social care, which have been generated through research using administrative data.
The report serves as a source of evidence for policymakers and practitioners working to support children. It also provides a rich example of the power of administrative data to enable critical research evidence that can improve lives.
Researchers and policymakers alike know that poor outcomes are not inevitable with the right resources. A key strength of administrative data is the ability to produce data-driven insights to identify where more support is needed and pinpoint examples of success. Many care experienced children lead happy and fulfilled lives. Embedding administrative data into research and policy development has realworld implications for care experienced children to ensure they all can thrive.
Administrative data is information created when people interact with public services, such as schools, the NHS, the courts or the benefits system. By using de-identified data that represents the entire population over time, researchers can conduct large-scale studies more efficiently than ever before.
Administrative data is invaluable for policymakers. It provides representative, long-term insights into complex issues such as health, poverty, inequality, education, and wellbeing. These insights are crucial for developing effective policies. The data can also be segmented demographically and regionally, helping to understand the distribution and evolution of social issues.