A principles-based governance framework and resource hub for the data science community. To support the safe, transparent, responsible, and trustworthy use of health and wider population data for research, statistics, and innovation.
SafeGUARDS is an overarching principles-based information governance framework developed initially by the Pan-UK Data Governance Steering Group along with public partners, and further adapted via international consultation. SafeGUARDS supports consistent, transparent, and accountable decision-making for data governance and use across jurisdictions, including considerations of lawfulness, appropriate purpose, proportionality, accountability, and the implementation of measures to protect the data, while addressing broader expectations of transparency, equity, resilience, professionalism, and public trust.
SafeGUARDS brings together two essential components:
For each GUARDS principle, we propose ‘aspirations’ for organisations to work towards and resources that might help. Explore each principle by clicking the relevant link below.
Governance and data use must be…
A range of complementary frameworks, principles, and operational approaches have emerged to support different aspects of responsible data use. Collectively, these have established important foundations for proportionate risk management, interoperability, openness, and equity across diverse contexts. However, because they were developed to address different objectives, contexts, and governance challenges, there remains a need for an overarching, principles-led framework that brings these dimensions together to support consistent, transparent, and proportionate decision-making while recognising the broader societal expectations that underpin and sustain a social licence to operate.
SafeGUARDS was initially developed by the Pan-UK Data Governance Steering group in partnership with Health Data Research UK’s (HDR UK) Public Advisory Board (PAB) and HDR UK Voices network.
The Steering Group includes representatives from the UK’s NHS authorities, national statistical agencies, regulatory bodies, data research infrastructures, national data science institutes (HDR UK, Administrative Data Research UK (ADR UK), Smart Data Research UK (SDR UK)), industry stakeholders, and public contributors.
Extensive consultation has included:
Any organisation from the data science community can implement and work towards the principles. The framework does not consist of a checklist or set of rules, and you won’t be formally assessed or need certification. Instead, they offer practical guidance and resources to implement good practice.
This flexibility enables them to be adapted to specific contexts and respond to the growing complexity of data ecosystems by shifting focus from checklist-driven compliance to transparent, accountable, and proportionate decision-making across the data life cycle.
We have proposed ‘aspirations’ for each of the GUARDS principles to work towards, along with an extensive range of resources to help you apply the principles across your organisation or processes.
Get in touch with our team or explore each principle below to access practical tools that can support you in implementing them.
Guided
Understandable
Aligned
Responsible
Deliver
Stewardship
Yes. The principles are designed to work across different cultures and scientific approaches, ensuring they have international relevance. Ongoing consultation, in the UK and globally, will help ensure they stay relevant, inclusive, and appropriate for a wide range of research settings and communities.
