Health and wellbeing survey 2021 -2022

We are inviting everyone in P5 to S6 from your school to take part. We want to hear about what you do and how you feel about your life. You will be invited to complete a short online questionnaire during class time. Your teacher will choose the day and time when this happens. We are hoping to hear from a lot of children from across our local area.

We will ask you about

• your school and aspirations
• your health and feelings
• your strength and difficulties
• your friendships and family
• what you do in your free time

What will happen

Your teacher will ask you to answer some questions on a computer, laptop or tablet on your own. You will then need to choose the answer that best fits how you feel. This will take about 20 - 40 minutes. The questions will ask you about your school, your family, things you do, how you feel, your friendships, and a range of other things.

What happens to my answers

We will collect answers from every P5 to S6 child or young person who takes part. You will not be asked to provide your name. We will not tell anybody your answers, not your teacher or your family. Of course, it's up to you if you want to talk to other people about your answers.

We will then look at everybody's answers together. This is so your local authority can understand what children of your age think and do. We will also look at other information about you, such as the area you live, your ethnic background, whether you get extra help at school, etc..

Who is asking the questions

Your local authority. They are asking you these questions so that they can plan for, and improve, the children's services needed in your local area, based on what you and other children say in this survey.

Is this a test?

Don't worry, this is not a test. You do not need to prepare, as there are no right or wrong answers. We just want to hear what you think or how you feel.

Confidentiality and data security

The answers you provide will be treated in accordance with the law and used for statistics and research purposes only. This means that the data we collect is kept separately from information which could directly identify you.When reports using the data are published, care is taken to ensure that no information which could identify you is included. 

The Census can legally happen as the local authority will be processing your personal data as part of its performance of a task in the public interest.

View the Education Services Privacy Notice - Health and Wellbeing Survey.

Will anything happen based on anything I say?

While analysing all the data, if your local authority sees anything in your answers that they are concerned about, they may need to do something to help you. This would be the only time that your actual identity would be sought, by identifying you from a separate database that holds your Scottish Candidate Number together with your name for which the local authority also has access to.

This should not happen very often so it is highly unlikely that anyone will actually contact you about anything you say in the survey. However, if they do, they are only doing this so that they can make sure that you are OK and to help you.

Do I have to take part?

It would be great to hear your views but you don't have to take part. If you don't want to, just tell your parents/carers or your teacher. Also, if there are any questions you don't want to answer, that's fine, you will be able to skip questions, or choose the 'prefer not to say' option, and you won't be asked why.

Support and advice

If you need support or advice on any of the topics asked in the survey, then your school will provide you with a list of ways in which you can speak to someone who may be able to help you.

Questions

View the Health and wellbeing FAQ (Word doc, 19 KB).

If you have any questions, please talk to your parents/carers and teachers at school. You can also have a look at the Scottish Government website for full details including frequently asked questions and data protection. If you have any further questions, please contact kate.macdonald@south-ayrshire.gov.uk.