Client Level Data (CLD) has the potential to transform our understanding of peoples journeys through the social care system. As referenced in Data saves lives, the ability to link client level data from local authorities with NHS records for the same individuals will strengthen our understanding of how people move between health and social care, enabling better oversight of how services work together across the country and a better understanding to improve outcomes for individuals drawing on care.

With routine validation of the data, CLD will provide local authorities with a robust and consistent minimum core dataset that can be used to meet their local reporting requirements. Local authorities will also be able to request NHS number tracing and linked (pseudonymised) health records for greater commissioning insight into local health and care systems.

This data, particularly when linked with other NHS data, can be used to:

• assess effective delivery of care
• support local service planning
• provide the basis for national indicators
• develop, monitor and evaluate government policy
• enable research
• improve services