Privacy Policy

Purpose

At Edinburgh Carers’ Council we collect Personal and Sensitive Personal Data in order to deliver our support service. We are fully committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

Policy

The principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) require us to make sure your data is accurate, kept up to date and that we keep it for no longer than is necessary.

We believe:

  • User privacy is a human right
  • We have a duty of care to the users we support
  • Personal data is a liability, and should only be collected, stored and used when absolutely necessary
  • We will never distribute or share your personal data without your explicit consent

Relevant Legislation
In drawing up this policy we have aimed to ensure we have complied with the following national and international legislation with regards to data privacy:

  • UK Data Protection Act 1988 (DPA)
  • EU Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR)

Procedure

How we collect your personal information?

  • We collect your personal information directly from you when you use one of our services or attend our groups/events.
  • We collect personal information from the person or organisation which refers you to our service (only if you have given permission for this)

What type of information might we collect from you?

Personal data

  • Name
  • Age
  • Address of Carer
  • Address of cared for person
  • Telephone Number
  • Email address / IP addresses in emails
  • Demographic
  • Times in healthcare

Sensitive personal Data

  • Health notes
  • Details of cared for person
  • Services used/accessed e.g. Veterans, First Point, PASDA
  • Racial / ethnic origin
  • Third party support
  • Information relating to care setting eg. date of birth / diagnosis / residence

How is your information used?

  • Client casenotes
  • Mailings - newsletters, groups, events
  • Informing you of collective advocacy groups or carer consultations.
  • Contact details
  • Access information relating to healthcare
  • Situation of third parties
  • Refer to letters and documents relating to casework
  • City of Edinburgh Council. It is used anonymously for monitoring purposes

Who has access to your information?

  • ECC Manager and ECC advocacy staff
  • Resource and Information Officer – mailings

How to we ensure your personal information is stored securely?

  • Electronic data is password protected
  • Paper documentation is kept in a locked cabinet

What is in place to protect the loss, misuse or alteration of individual’s personal information?

  • ECC always tries to protect your personal information. We do not share it with third parties without your consent. We have secure storage of your information and this is password protected or in a locked cabinet. A limited number of staff have access to it and we have protocols in place to report any data breaches

How you can update and access your personal information?

To ensure the information we hold is accurate and up to date please contact Ruth Rooney, Coordinator, 0131 322 8480

You have the right to see the information Edinburgh Carers’ Council hold about you.

 

Use of Cookies

Like many other websites, the Edinburgh Carers’ Council website uses cookies. ‘Cookies’ are small pieces of information sent by an organisation to your computer and stored on your hard drive to allow that website to recognise you and when you visit. They collect statistical data about your browsing actions and patterns and do not identify you as an individual.

Consent

You have a choice about whether or not you want us to collect your personal information or wish to receive information from us. If you do not want to receive mailings from us e.g. newsletters then you can choose not to have it. We will regularly check with you (how frequently?) whether you wish to receive further mailings

We will not send you mailings by email or by post if you have indicated that you do not wish to receive them.

Queries or Complaints

Any questions regarding this policy and our privacy practices should be sent to our Edinburgh Carers’ Council Data Controller: Ruth Rooney at Links Place, Edinburgh. EH6 7EZ. Tel: 0131 322 8480.

If you wish to make a complaint about any of Edinburgh Carers Council’s practices in relation to data protection you can contact the UKs independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest.  The Information Commissioner’s Office at www.ico.org.uk

This policy will be reviewed every two years to ensure that we keep up to date with good practice.

You can check our website occasionally to ensure you are aware of any updates and are happy with any changes.

Date of Review
Reviewed by
Comments

May 2019
Edinburgh
Carers Council
Trustees
Policy adopted by the Trustees

February 2022
Edinburgh
Carers Council
Trustees