Ministry of Justice & Department for Education linked dataset - England
The MoJ-DfE linked dataset allows analysis to understand links between childhood characteristics, educational outcomes and (re)offending. The dataset includes data from prison, courts, Police National Computer, National Pupil Database, looked-after-children and children in need. It covers variables such as demographics, offending data, school exclusions, and children in care. Analysis of this data will help develop the evidence base on understanding the relationships between educational and criminal justice outcomes and the drivers of offending. It will assist in identifying populations that require support through early educational interventions and evaluating interventions to understand whether they are effective.
Component datasets and linkage
This linked dataset includes data from the MoJ including recordable offences, offending histories and sentencing. This has been linked to DfE data including educational characteristics, educational performance, and children in care and other demographics.
| Timeframe | Police National Computer (PNC) Extract: 2000 - 2020. National Pupil Database (NPD): Children born after 31 August 1985 |
|---|---|
| Update Frequency | Annual |
| Population | |
| Coverage | England only |
| Size | PNC: 1.65 million records. NPD: 15 million records |
Examples of research questions
- Is there an association between particular interactions with the education system and offending, and if so, is one of these factors typically the driver?
- How are the relationships between educational and criminal justice outcomes impacted by demographic factors?
- Can education policy have unintended consequences for crime?
This list is illustrative only and intended to demonstrate the research potential of the dataset. For research priorities, see the areas of research interest or ADR UK funding opportunity.
Core documentation
Data dictionary
Data catalogues can be requested by emailing datalinkingteam@justice.gov.uk and data.sharing@education.gov.uk.
Other supporting resources
| Resource | Description |
| Ministry of Justice ARI 2020 | The MoJ Areas of Research Interest sets out the department’s critical evidence gaps. |
Published research using the data
- Feasibility study: This study explores the use of the MoJ-DfE linked dataset to evaluate early interventions to prevent violent crime.
- The Ministry of Justice: This publication examines the education and social care background of children cautioned or sentenced for an offence.
- The Office for National Statistics: This publication analyses the education and social care background of young people who interact with the criminal justice system.
- ADR UK Research Fellows outputs: Five ADR UK Research Fellows are undertaking pathfinder research using this dataset. Their publications including blogs and Data Insights will be available via the ADR UK project page. Sign up to our newsletter for updates.
Accessing the data
Access the MoJ-DfE linked dataset via the ONS Secure Research Service. Researchers who are fully accredited under the Digital Economy Act (2017) can apply for access.
To apply to access this dataset use the application form for secure access to data on the gov.uk website.
Funding opportunity
ADR UK is inviting applications for funding to conduct policy-relevant research using ADR England flagship datasets. Research fellows will address priority research questions, generate insights and demonstrate the value of ADR England data. Find out more about this funding opportunity on the UKRI funding finder.
“I have done research on education policy and youth crime for a few years now using data from a number of countries, and this is probably the best data source that exists today in the world to study youth crime and links between education and crime.”
Find out more
More information about this linked dataset can be found on the ADR UK website and on the MoJ Data First website.