Privacy notice for child in care reviews

Who is collecting and using your personal data?

Devon County Council will act as a ‘data controller’ for any personal data that you provide to us. As such, we will ensure that the data you give us is processed in line with our organisation’s data protection policies and in line with your rights under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the EU General Data Protection Regulations.

Should you wish to find out more about Devon County Council’s data protection policies please contact our Data Protection Officer.

Please note that failure to provide your personal data may make it difficult for us to conduct child in care reviews effectively.

Why are we collecting your personal data?

We are collecting your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To ensure that appropriate plans are in place to safeguard and promote the overall welfare of the child in the most effective way and achieve permanence for him or her within a timescale that meets his or her needs.
  • To monitor the progress of the plans and ensure they are being progressed effectively.
  • To make decisions, as necessary, for amendments to those plans to reflect any change in knowledge and/or circumstances.
  • To ensure the needs of children looked after as a result of a secure remand are met.
  • To ensure that an Eligible Young Person moving into semi-independent accommodation is ready and prepared to move.
  • For a young person living in foster care, the first Looked After Review following his or her 16th birthday should consider whether a Staying Put arrangement (whereby the young person remains in the foster home after the age of 18) should be an option.

We rely upon the following laws to process your personal data:

  • Children Act 1989.
  • Adoption and Children Act 2002.
  • Children Act 2004.
  • Children and Young Person Act 2008.
  • Care Planning and Case Review Regulations 2011.
  • Children and Families Act 2014.
  • Children and Social Work Act 2017.

Who will we share your personal data with?

To deliver services to you, may be necessary for us to share your personal data with the following organisations / partners:

  • The child’s school – usually the Designated Teacher for looked after children.
  • A Personal Adviser, if the child is over the age of 16.
  • An Independent Visitor, if involved.
  • If required, an interpreter.
  • Any other person with a legitimate interest in the child e.g. health care professional, GP, a representative from the Local Authority in whose area it is proposed that the child will be placed.
  • The officer with lead responsibility for implementing the authority’s duty to promote the educational achievement of its looked after children.

How long will we hold your personal data?

We will retain your personal data for only as long as is necessary, and in line with our organisation’s record retention schedules.

Automated decisions

No automated decisions are made using personal data provided to us as part of the children in care review process.

Exercising your rights

Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the EU General Data Protection Regulations you have the following rights:

  •  The right of access to your own personal data.
  • The right to request rectification or deletion of your personal data.
  • The right to object to the processing of your personal data.
  • The right to request a copy of the information you provide us in machine readable format.
  • The right to withdraw your consent to any processing that is solely reliant upon your consent.

Should you wish to exercise any of your rights, you should contact the Data Protection Officer.

Your right to complain

If you wish to complain about the way that your personal data has been handled by Devon County Council, you should write to the Data Protection Officer and clearly outline your case. Your complaint will then be investigated in accordance with the Council’s customer feedback procedure. If you remain dissatisfied with the way your personal data has been handled, you may refer the matter to the Information Commissioner’s Office whose contact details are below:

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Email:casework@ico.org.uk

Changes to how we may process your personal data during the COVID-19 crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary for Devon County Council to change the way that we process your personal data, to ensure we can protect public health and deliver essential services to you and the public during this crisis. For more information read our COVID-19 privacy notice.