CARE Lab: exploring data linkage in adult social care
We’re excited to be collaborating on the CARE Lab programme led by Cardiff University’s Centre for Adult Social Care Research (CARE).
What is CARE Lab?
Social Care Linked Data Lab (CARE Lab) is a three-year programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) from April 2025 to March 2028.
The aim of CARE Lab is to understand more about adult social care provision in Wales. This will help inform policy and improve services for people in Wales and across the UK.
How will the work be carried out?
CARE Lab aims to explore trends in adult social care service provision and identify gaps and inequalities that need to be addressed.
The initiative will link routine data collected on adult social care services and other sources of information like health care, children’s social care and the 2021 census.
It will use the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank (SAIL). SAIL stores anonymised health and social care data about people in Wales.
What’s our role?
We’ll provide CARE lab with strategic support and help to share findings with the social care workforce through accessible content like research summaries.
You can find out more about the work we do to make research accessible here: Evidence summaries.
How can I get involved in the research?
If you’re a researcher interested in the potential of data linkage within adult social care research, here are some current opportunities that may be of interest:
CARE Lab has opened applications for a PhD studentship (three years full-time or five years part-time) to complement their research programme: ‘Exploring linked administrative data on adults in receipt of care and support in Wales.’
Applications close on 28 July 2025.
Find out more here: PhD studentship funded by NIHR: Exploring linked administrative data on adults in receipt of care and support in Wales. at Cardiff University on FindAPhD.com
We’re also currently running a placement opportunity for students already engaged in their PhD research. Either with experience of, or interest in, linked data research in adult social care. The placements are for three months or six months (full or part time).
The closing date for our current placement is 25 August 2025.
Find out more here: Join our next PhD student placement scheme!
- Have a look at our researcher support offer for information on our Adult social care linked data research group. The group brings together researchers who are using, or interested in using, linked data research in their work.