Introduction

Families United (Warrington) needs to collect and use certain types of personal information about the customers/service users (‘Data Subjects’) who come into contact with it in order to deliver its [core] work/services. This personal information must be collected and dealt with appropriately – whether on paper, in a computerised system, or recorded on other material – and there are safeguards to ensure this under the General Data Protection Regulation 2018.

The following list below of definitions of the technical terms we have used and is intended to aid understanding of this policy.

Data Controller – The person who (either alone or with others) decides what personal information Families United (Warrington) will hold and how it will be held or used.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – The EU/UK legislation that provides a framework for responsible behaviour by those using personal information.

Data Protection Officer – The person(s) responsible for ensuring that it follows its data protection policy and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998 

Data Subject/Service User – The individual whose personal information is being held or processed by Families United (Warrington) (for example: a client, an employee, a supporter)

‘Explicit’ consent – is a freely given, specific and informed agreement by a Data Subject (see definition) to the processing* of personal information* about her/him.   Explicit consent is needed for processing sensitive* data

* See definition

Notification – Notifying the Information Commissioner about the data processing activities of Families United (Warrington) as certain activities may be exempt from notification.

Information Commissioner – The UK Information Commissioner responsible for implementing and overseeing the GDPR

Processing – means collecting, amending, handling, storing or disclosing personal information

Personal Information – Information about living individuals that enables them to be identified – e.g. name and address. It does not apply to information about organisations, companies and agencies but applies to named persons, such as individual volunteers or employees within Families United (Warrington).

Sensitive data – this refers to data beyond basic personal information and includes

• Racial or ethnic origin
• Political opinions
• Religious or similar beliefs
• Trade union membership
• Physical or mental health
• Sexual life
• Criminal record
• Criminal proceedings relating to a data subject’s offences

Data Controller

The Board of Trustees are the Data Controller under the Act, which means that it determines what purposes personal information held will be used for. It is also responsible for notifying the Information Commissioner of the data it holds or is likely to hold, and the general purposes that this data will be used for. (STATE THE NAME OF THE DATA CONTROLLER, AND THEIR ROLE WITHIN THE ORGANISATION TO BE FULLY COMPLIANT) 

Disclosure

Families United (Warrington) may share data with other agencies such as the local authority, funding bodies and other voluntary agencies for reporting and monitoring purposes. 

The Data Subject will be made aware in most circumstances how and with whom their information will be shared.  There are circumstances where the law allows Families United (Warrington) to disclose data (including sensitive data) without the data subject’s consent.   

These are:

1. Carrying out a legal duty or as authorised by the Secretary of State 
2. Protecting vital interests of a Data Subject or other person
3. The Data Subject has already made the information public
4. Conducting any legal proceedings, obtaining legal advice or defending any legal rights  
5. Monitoring for equal opportunities purposes – i.e. race, disability or religion
6. Providing a confidential service where the Data Subject’s consent cannot be obtained or where it is reasonable to proceed without consent: e.g. where we would wish to avoid forcing stressed or ill Data Subjects to provide consent signatures.

Families United (Warrington) regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal information as very important to successful working, and to maintaining the confidence of those with whom we deal.  

Families United (Warrington) intends to ensure that personal information is treated lawfully and correctly.

To this end, Families United (Warrington) will adhere to the 8 Principles of Data Protection, as detailed in the GDPR.

Specifically, the Principles require that personal information:

1. Shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless specific conditions are met, 
2. Shall be obtained only for one or more of the purposes specified in the Act, and shall not be processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes,
3. Shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to those purpose(s) 
4. Shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date,
5. Shall not be kept for longer than is necessary 
6. Shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the Act
7. Shall be kept secure by the Data Controller who takes appropriate technical and other measures to prevent unauthorised or unlawful processing or accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal information,
8. Shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal information.

Families United (Warrington) will, through appropriate management, strict application of criteria and controls:

• Observe fully conditions regarding the fair collection and use of information,

• Meet its legal obligations to specify the purposes for which information is used,

• Collect and process appropriate information, and only to the extent that it is needed to fulfil its operational needs or to comply with any legal requirements,

• Ensure the quality of information used,

• Ensure that the rights of people about whom information is held, can be fully exercised under the Act.   These include: 
  • The right to be informed that processing is being undertaken,
  • The right of access to one’s personal information
  • The right to prevent processing in certain circumstances and 
  • The right to correct, rectify, block or erase information which is regarded as wrong information),

• Take appropriate technical and organisational security measures to safeguard personal information,

• Ensure that personal information is not transferred abroad without suitable safeguards,

• Treat people justly and fairly whatever their age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity when dealing with requests for information,

• Set out clear procedures for responding to requests for information.

Data collection

Families United (Warrington) is obligated to state a valid lawful basis for data collection and processing. Under GDPR our lawful basis is Informed consent.

Informed consent

Informed consent is when a Data Subject clearly understands why their information is needed, who it will be shared with, the possible consequences of them agreeing or refusing the proposed use of the data and then gives their consent.

Families United (Warrington) will ensure that data is collected within the boundaries defined in this policy. This applies to data that is collected in person, or by completing a form.

When collecting data, Families United (Warrington) will ensure that the Data Subject:

• Clearly understands why the information is needed
• Understands what it will be used for and what the consequences are should the Data Subject decide not to give consent to processing
• As far as reasonably possible, grants explicit consent, either written or verbal for data to be processed
• Is, as far as reasonably practicable, competent enough to give consent and has given so freely without any duress
• Has received sufficient information on why their data is needed and how it will be used

Data Storage

Information and records relating to trustees and members will be stored securely and will only be accessible to authorised staff and volunteers. Our members database is held on a secure drive that is password protected.

Information will be stored for only as long as it is needed or the required statute and will be disposed of appropriately.

It is Families United (Warrington) responsibility to ensure all personal and company data is non-recoverable from any computer system previously used within the organisation, which has been passed on/sold to a third party.

Data access and accuracy

All Data Subjects have the right to access the information Families United (Warrington) holds about them. Upon a data access request Families United (Warrington) will first establish the true identity of the subject, and endeavor to release all data relating to that subject within 5 working days at no cost to the individual. 

Individuals have the right to expect organisations to keep accurate data about them. Families United (Warrington) will take all reasonable steps to ensure that this information is kept up to date by contacting data subjects every 12 months to establish whether there have been any changes.

Individuals also have the right to erasure, except in cases where there is a lawful reason where data needs to be retained. Families United (Warrington) will action erasure requests within 5 working days. Where erasure is not possible, (Families United (Warrington) will anonymise data as fully as possible, to the satisfaction of the data subject.

This policy will be updated as necessary to reflect best practice in data management, security and control and to ensure compliance with any changes or amendments made to the General Data Protection Regulation 2018