Personal information consent
Why do we collect information about you?
To be able to keep you informed about our work with you, invite you to meetings and send you any copies of plans or agreements that you make. To help with that we collect some personal details like your name, address and contact details.
In addition, we may need information from other agencies and professionals who know you, such as your GP, your child’s GP, your child’s health visitor or school or any specialist service working with your family, the police or probation service.
We will only collect information that is relevant to the work you or your family do with us.
What will we do with the information?
The information you provide will be used to contact you, it will be held securely by Family Group Conference Plus on their separate systems.
Family Group Conference Plus are part of Devon County Council. Information will only be retained for as long as necessary in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations.
Who will be able to see my information?
Only the Family Group Conference Plus team and your co-ordinator who are working with you and your family and who have a legitimate reason to see your information will be allowed access.
How will you record my wishes about sharing my information?
We will use the form that your co-ordinator shares with you to record your wishes and it will be kept with other information we hold about you. If we receive a request to share information, an authorised member of staff will check the details on this form before any information is shared.
What information do we keep?
In most circumstances, for a family referred to our service we will have the following on our secure system:
Name and contact details, any additional information family members wish to share with us, basic recordings of what work we do (such as visits and phone calls and the purpose and outcome of these), the referral form, signed consents re information and sharing, a risk assessment (of any planning needed to hold a safe meeting), a copy of any child protection concerns if they have arisen through the process, a copy of any family plan or agreement, and review forms for follow up work.
Could the information be shared without my permission?
Yes, information may be shared if your safety or the safety of your child/children, family or any other person is felt to be at risk of serious harm. Information might also be shared for the purpose of prevention or detection of a crime.
What if I’m a child or young person, who says whether my information can be shared?
If you are of sufficient age and have the ability to understand what is happening then your views will be taken into account. However, there may be times when we have to seek or share information even if you do not want us to. This might be to keep you or another person safe. On these occasions, any decisions made will be explained to you.
Even where it is felt that a child can give consent a discussion may still be needed with someone who has parental responsibility.
What are my rights?
Your information is protected by the Data Protection Act 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulations.
You have the right to request to access any information we hold about you and to ask that inaccurate information be corrected. You can also ask that our obtaining, recording, holding and using of your data be stopped if it is causing you damage or distress.
If you wish to exercise these rights you can contact Devon’s Data Protection Officer.
What if I do not understand?
If you are unsure about what we asking please contact us. We do not want to make assumptions about you so we will provide support to help you understand fully.
Personal information and consent
We will ask you to sign your consent to gather basic personal information about you and keep this on our secure systems. Your coordinator will go through this form with you.
If you have any questions please ask us or email us at fgcplus@devon.gov.uk.
Our privacy statement can be viewed online.
Contacting Family Group Conference Plus
We offer a service to families across Devon and referrals or enquiries can be sent to fgcplus@devon.gov.uk.