Privacy Policy and Data Retention Statement

Effective from 25th May 2018

 

 

I aim to be fully compliant with current GPDR legislation and to let you know how I use and protect the data you’ve given me.

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GDPR replaces the previous Data Protection Act.

I wish to be transparent with regards to the processes I have in place.

Identifiable information, if shared, will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.
I follow guidance from my governing bodies: British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and my insurers: Towergate

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As a private practitioner, I’m considered the data processor and controller in my practice.

As the data controller, I process some of your personal data.

During the assessment process information such as next of kin, family members and medication are gathered and held.

This is anonymised, coded and securely stored.

No-one but me can access this information.

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Data Processing means obtaining, recording or holding information. The definition is very wide, and most of what I do involves a degree of processing. I process the personal data I have collected as controller.

I maintain records of personal data and processing activities and hold responsibility should there be a breach.

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Consent.
This is a primary concern and is separate to other terms and conditions.

As my client, you can withdraw consent at any time. I hope to offer you choice and control.

As a therapist who also uses creative interventions, I want to ensure you know that any drawings or art done in session is yours.

 

I will store this material safely and dispose of it in a timely manner.

I will never use any of your data/artworks for writing, publishing, research or training purposes without your permission.

If either of us need/want to record the session audibly or visually, this will be discussed and agreed with further written consent. These recordings will be deleted following supervision.

I have monthly ongoing supervision to support and ensure my practice is safe.

When I share client material or images this is always done confidentially, protecting your identity.

I name my own supervisors in my supervision agreement to be transparent to those I supervise.

Nobody but me has access to any of your data.

I will keep this process under review and refresh it if anything changes.

 

 

Note keeping.
I make process notes. When I decide to do so I shred and dispose of this confidential material asap, often after supervision.

I keep minimal content notes which I hold for seven years in paper form in a lockable filing cabinet. After this time frame, they're disposed of securely. You have a right to see the information I hold about you should you wish to. You have a right to change any information which you consider to be incorrect. You can also ask me to delete all/any of the information that I hold. There are however some details I need to keep due to legal and professional obligations.

 

 

Data Storage.
I promise to keep all sensitive data safely.

This involves my anonymising, using passwords and encrypted documents.

I keep all sensitive data in paper form.

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In addition to this I work with the data base system provided by the BACP - this system is called bacpac - it is a secure and encrypted site used to keep records of appointments and brief details of the therapy undertaken

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I dispose of any electronic data within 6 months of the end of our contract.

I dispose of emails on a 6-monthly basis

 

While we work together I will store your name, email address and phone number on my smartphone. I only contact you in response to you or concerning appointments. When we discontinue working I will delete your number.

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I do not engage with clients through any social media.

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In the event of a complaint.
Please contact me directly. And if we cannot resolve this you could then contact the Information Commissioner Office (ICO).

 

I am registered with them and my reference number is A8457211 https://ico.org.uk/concerns/handling/ or Guidance for GDPR Compliance.

 

 

Clinical will
In the event of a sudden cessation of practice e.g. through an accident or death, I have appointed a professional executor who manage things on my behalf. This is arranged for your welfare as my client and every step is taken to ensure GDPR standards are met.

 

 

Agreement:

Having read, understood and discussed the above, both parties are satisfied with regards to consent and the data and privacy policies. We agree on why I have collected and kept specific data and what I do with it. You may withdraw consent at any time without detriment. I will regularly review consent with you to check that the relationship, the processing and the purposes have not changed.

 

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Signed by Lisa Hall                       :           Miss Lisa Hall

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