National Data Opt-out training
This training explains the National Data Opt-out system and how it affects the way we handle personal information about the people we support. You will learn what the opt-out means, how to check if someone has registered, and how to respect their choices when sharing information. This protects people's rights and keeps our service compliant with data protection law.
What This Training Covers
A clear, practical grounding in national data opt-out.
This training explains the National Data Opt-out system and how it affects the way we handle personal information about the people we support. You will learn what the opt-out means, how to check if someone has registered, and how to respect their choices when sharing information. This protects people's rights and keeps our service compliant with data protection law.
Learning Outcomes
By the end, your staff will be able to:
What Your Team Will Learn
A closer look at the national data opt-out module.
The module is built in short, practical sections. Each one teaches a part of the topic, then applies it to a real care scenario and checks understanding before moving on.
What is the National Data Opt-out
The National Data Opt-out lets people choose whether their confidential health and care information can be used for research and planning purposes. When someone registers an opt-out, their information can still be used for their direct care, but not for wider purposes like medical research or service planning. This is a legal right under data protection law. Our service must respect these choices and check the register before sharing information for research or planning.
When the opt-out applies
The National Data Opt-out applies when we want to share confidential information for purposes beyond direct care. This includes sharing for research studies, planning services, or analysing trends. It does not apply to sharing information needed to provide direct care and treatment to the person. It also does not apply when we are legally required to share information, such as safeguarding concerns or reporting to regulators like CQC.
How to check the register
Before sharing any confidential information for research or planning, you must check if the person has registered an opt-out. Your manager or the person responsible for information governance will access the National Data Opt-out register using the secure NHS system. You need the person's NHS number to check. If you are asked to help with this process, follow your manager's instructions. Never assume someone has or has not opted out without checking.
What to do when someone has opted out
If someone has registered a National Data Opt-out, you must not include their confidential information in any data shared for research or planning purposes. This applies even if the data will be anonymised. Keep a record that you checked and found an opt-out, and document that their information was excluded. If excluding their data creates problems for a research project, explain the situation to the requester but do not override the opt-out. The person's choice must be respected.
Supporting people to make informed choices
People have the right to register, change or cancel their National Data Opt-out at any time. If someone asks about the opt-out, explain it clearly in simple terms. Tell them it only affects research and planning, not their direct care. Help them access the NHS website or phone line to register their choice if they want to. Never pressure someone to opt in or out. Record any conversations about this in their notes. Respect that some people may need time or support to decide.
Recording and documenting opt-out checks
Good record keeping is essential when handling National Data Opt-out checks. When you check the register, document the date you checked, what you found, and what action you took. If someone has opted out, record that you excluded their information. If they have not opted out, record that you checked and confirmed this before sharing. This creates an audit trail showing our service respected people's choices and followed data protection law. Keep these records secure according to our data protection policy.
Key Points Covered
The things your team must remember.
- The National Data Opt-out lets people control whether their information is used for research and planning, but does not affect their direct care
- Always check the register before sharing information for research or planning purposes using the person's NHS number
- If someone has opted out, you must exclude their information even if it creates difficulties for researchers
- The opt-out does not apply to direct care, treatment, safeguarding or legal requirements
- Support people to make informed choices about opting out but never pressure them either way
- Document all opt-out checks and actions taken to create a clear audit trail
Who and how often
National Data Opt-out is refreshed every year, for the staff in your care setting whose roles require it.
CQC and standards
Supports the training evidence CQC expects to see for a well-run, safe care setting.
How CareStream Delivers It
Not a slideshow once a year. Training that sticks.
CareStream delivers national data opt-out training in the hub your team already uses, grounded in best practice and your own policies, so it fits your care setting and not a generic template.
Teach, then assess
Short teaching sections and a real care scenario, then an assessment that checks understanding.
In any language
Staff complete it in over 60 languages, while your records stay in English.
Learn and retry
A wrong answer triggers a short follow-up lesson and a fresh question, so the gap is closed.
Renewals handled
Automatic reminders at 90, 30 and 7 days, with a live compliance dashboard.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions.
Give your team national data opt-out training that actually sticks.
See how CareStream delivers your mandatory training in the hub, in any language.