Skip to main content
Guidance

How to complete the SAC data return: 2025 to 2026

Guidance for local authorities on how to complete the safeguarding adults collection (SAC) data return for the 2025 to 2026 reporting period.

Updates to this page

From:
Department of Health and Social Care
Published:
29 January 2026
Last updated:
1 October 2026
Show all updates

  1. Changed main page title to 'How to complete the SAC data return: 2025 to 2026'.

  2. Clarified that the data template published on this page is for reference only. To submit data, use the most up-to-date SAC data submission template, which you can download from NHS England’s Strategic Data Collection Service website from 1 April 2026.

  3. First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Safeguarding adults collection (SAC) data return, 2025 to 2026: guidance for local authorities

HTML

SAC data return, 2025 to 2026: data template (for reference only)

MS Excel Spreadsheet, 159 KB

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@dhsc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The SAC is a mandatory annual data collection from local authorities in England.

Local authorities should use the data return template and guidance to submit data on safeguarding concerns and where enquiries took place during 2025 to 2026 in England.

You can submit data from 1 April 2026 through NHS England’s Strategic Data Collection Service (SDCS).

This page includes:

  • guidance for completing the 2025 to 2026 safeguarding adults collection data return
  • a reference version of the data template for the 2025 to 2026 reporting period

The reference version of the template is published on this page so that local authorities can see which data they will need to submit.

To submit your data return, use the most up-to-date version of the SAC submission data template, which you can download from the SDCS website from 1 April 2026.

Sign up for emails or print this page