PRIVACY POLICY Why I STORE INFORMATION

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) define specific legal bases for storing information. Several of these apply to the information which I store about clients:
* I ask clients and/or parents to consent to me storing and using this information * I only store the information which I need to provide the therapy which you have asked me for * In some cases, I need to use this information I have collected in order to protect vulnerable children and young people (Safeguarding)

SECURITY OF YOUR INFORMAITON

I am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), as a Data Controller.

The Information Commissioner Office (ICO) website: www.ico.org.uk

My registration reference is: ZA031333 * I am committed to processing your information lawfully, fairly and with transparency. * The security of your information is very important to me. * I will take all reasonable steps to ensure the appropriate security is in place to keep your information safe and secure. * I will let you know immediately in the unlikely event that there is a problem with my data security.

WHAT INFORMATION I STORE

During our referral process, I collect the following information about you: * Full names of child, parents or carers, and other significant family members * Date of birth * Address, telephone numbers, and email addresses * GP and school contact details * Reasons for seeking counselling or therapy * Family history * Experiences of school, social interactions, and relevant medical information * Support networks, strengths and interests I also store brief records of therapy sessions and review meetings, including dates, times and a brief description of content.

HOW I STORE AND US THIS INFORMATION

I keep handwritten records. These are to help me in my work with you and ensure that I offer a good service. I will keep a brief written record of each session with you and keep copies of any letters sent or received in relation to our work.
I also store a small amount of information on an online database which is secure and encrypted. This will be accessed for administrative purposes via password protected smartphones and laptops.
Your address, phone number, or e-mail address may be used to contact you in relation to your therapy. During the referral process, we will ask you to confirm the best ways to contact you, including whether to contact young people directly, parents or carers. I store written records securely. I will securely dispose of all records seven years after your therapy ends.

CONFIDENTIALITY

I will not usually tell anyone anything that happens in therapy.
However, clients have the right to share whatever they like from their experience of therapy with anyone they choose.
Every month I receive external supervision. This is a professional and ethical requirement of my counselling body BACP to ensure that I offering safe and effective counselling. It is also kept confidential.

There are some situations where I may pass on information without a client’s agreement. These are:
* When a therapist is concerned that a child, young person, or someone else would be at serious risk if we did not pass on information.
* When we have information relating to acts or potential acts of terrorism or money laundering, we are legally obliged to report this.
If at all possible, I will discuss my concerns with the client first and come to an agreement about what is best to do. I will tell the client what information I am going to share, and who I am going to tell. If the client is under 18, I may also discuss the situation with parents / carers before sharing information, as long as it is safe to do so.
If I need to share information without the client’s or family’s consent, I will consult with my counselling supervisor before taking action, unless waiting to do this would increase the risk. I will write down what information has been shared and why I have breached confidentiality.

ACCESS TO RECORDS

You have the right to see records that are kept about you at anytime. If you would like to do this, please ask me. I will explain anything in a record that is unclear. You have the right to correct any part of a record that you believe is wrong. Information stored about children belongs to the child, and young people have the right to ask to see their own records. If younger children want to see their records, their parents can request this on their behalf. I then have a legal obligation to consider whether it is in the child’s interest to release this information to their parent.

CLIENTS' WRITTEN AND ARTWORK

I provide secure storage for art and craft work which clients produce during therapy sessions. At the end of therapy, you can decide whether to take your work home or whether you would prefer us to destroy it for you.
If I lose contact with a client before the planned end of their therapy, I will store artwork for up to three months, during which time you can arrange to come and collect it from the centre. After three months any work which has not been collected will be disposed of securely.