Privacy Policy

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

Tyne valley Counselling collects and processes personal data of people we work with to carry out its functions. Our Privacy Notice details our commitment to being transparent about how we collect and use your data and to meeting our GDPR obligations.

Your privacy is very important to us and you can be confident that your personal information will be kept safe and secure and will only be used for the purpose it was given to us. We adhere to current data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (EU/2016/679) (the GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. 

Introduction

The policies and information described in this document refer to this website only. Any data processed by the company outside of the website will be covered in a separate working agreement and contract.

This document covers our policies in regards to how this website collects, stores, and uses any personal data we may hold or gather.

Any reference to “We” or “Our Company” refers to interactions with the website, and not any larger policies our business may hold.

By accessing and using our website you are indicating that you agree with the policies set out in this document. If you do not accept or agree to these policies, please stop using the website immediately.

This website may collect the following data from you:

  • Information you provide by filling in forms on the website. This includes, but is not limited to, enquiry forms, newsletter signups, and other engagements with the site.
  • Details of your visits to our website, in the form of analytics data. This includes, but is not limited to, location data and traffic data.
  • General user information via cookies.

Please see our separate Terms and Conditions Policy; Certain restrictions govern the use of this website.

Please see our separate Cookies Policy: Cookies used on our website are a way for websites to remember information about you.

We reserve the right to update this document at any time without prior notice.

Who are we?

‘Data controller’ is the term used to describe the person/ organisation that collects and stores and has responsibility for people’s personal data. In this instance, the data controller is Liese Weatherspoon who is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office: ZA744514.  

What information we collect:

The GDPR states that we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data. There are different lawful bases depending on the stage at which we are processing your data. 

The GDPR also makes sure that we look after any sensitive personal information that you may disclose to us appropriately. This type of information is called ‘special category personal information’. The lawful basis for us processing any special categories of personal information is that it is for provision of health treatment (in this case counselling) and necessary for a contract with a health professional (in this case, a contract between us and you). 

When you contact us with an enquiry about our counselling services, we will collect information to help us satisfy your enquiry. This will include your contact details, such as telephone number, email address, social media data and other personal details that you have disclosed at this stage. However, should you decide not to proceed with counselling those details will be deleted and erased, when the purpose for which they were provided for is no longer applicable and that process.

We will keep a record of your enquiry and personal details to help the counselling services run smoothly. These details are kept securely on the data controllers laptop and password-protected and are not shared with any third party. Any subsequent paper documentation and clinical notes will be stored in a locked filing cabinet in the data controllers personal office in accordance with the BACP Guidelines.

Your mobile number will be stored on an independent works phone but will not display your full name. This phone is pin protected and used primarily to send scheduled appointments and reminders. Text messages will also be deleted within 28 days.

While you are accessing counselling, rest assured that everything you discuss will be in confidence, unless information is subpoenaed by court OR if you or anyone you tell us about is at risk of harm, we may be required to breach confidentiality. 

We try to be as open as we can be in terms of giving people access to their personal information. You have a right to ask us to delete your personal information, to limit how we use your personal information, or to stop processing your personal information. You also have a right to ask for a copy of any information that we may hold about you and to object to the use of your personal data in some circumstances. You can read more about your rights at www.ico.org.uk/your-data-matters 

How your information may be shared or used.

Data collected will not be sold or used for any unethical purpose.

Our website does not share information with third parties for advertising purposes

Your data will be kept for the duration of our work together. 

However, when our work together has finished, all data except for session notes (which will be stored for up to 5 years in accordance with BACP regulations) will be deleted or securely disposed of.

Any other websites linked from our website are not governed by this policy document. We have no control and accept no responsibility for content found on third party websites.

Why we collect personal data

This is so we can that we can contact you and make arrangements for further connection for a working agreement which will be covered in a separate contract and provided separately at time of uptake.

To comply with the recommendations of our professional body and insurance company.

The lawful basis on which we use this information.

To collect and use data you share, we must show the ICO that we have a lawful basis to do this. We also need to tell you what this lawful basis is.

We have determined that ‘legitimate interests’ is the most appropriate lawful basis for both personal (article 6) and special category data (article 9).

See https://bit.ly/2FLs0Bu for more details.

Your Rights

You have the right:

  • to be informed about what information we hold 
  • to access the information, we hold – you can request this in writing at any time. We will provide you with the information within one month.
  • to have any incorrect information rectified – you can request this verbally or in writing.
  • to have your records erased (in the defence of any legal claims, we may decline to do this citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
  • to restrict processing (we may decline to do this citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
  • to object to processing of your data (we may decline to do this citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
  • Access to your information

You have the right, through the Data Protection Act 1998, to access information held about you. The access request may be subject to a nominal fee to meet our costs of providing you with the information which will be £20.

How to contact us

If you have any queries or comments regarding this privacy policy, please contact us via the contact details on this website.

If you have any concerns about how we have used your data please contact; The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF – Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 (national rate).

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Tyne valley Counselling collects and processes personal data of people we work with to carry out its functions. Our Privacy Notice details our commitment to being transparent about how we collect and use your data and to meeting our GDPR obligations.

Introduction
The policies and information described in this document refer to this website only. Any data processed by the company outside of the website will be covered in a separate policy document.

Any reference to “We” or “Our Company” refers to interactions with the website, and not any larger policies our business may hold.

By accessing and using our website you are indicating that you agree with the policies set out in this document. If you do not accept or agree to these policies, please stop using the website immediately.

Our website does not share information with third parties for advertising purposes.

Any other websites linked from our website are not governed by this policy document. We have no control and accept no responsibility for content found on third party websites.

We reserve the right to update this document at any time without prior notice.

This document covers our policies in regards to how this website collects, stores, and uses any personal data we may hold (or are given) about you.

Who are we?
Data Controller: Liese Weatherspoon

What information we collect:
We ask for your name and contact details which are known as ‘personal data’. We would only share data in line with ethical and legal obligations and in line with our contract.

These are:

  • During our supervision sessions when we may talk about our work together. However, your name would never be used to keep anonymity.
  • If we receive a Court Order for the release of our notes.
  • If you disclose you are at risk of serious harm to yourself or another.
  • If you share information about a proposed act of terrorism/money laundering/drug trafficking.
  • If there is a request by the Police for information regarding a road traffic accident.
  • Any Child Protection or safe guarding issues.

This may also contain other ‘personal data’ you share such as age, marital status, children, date of birth, gender or occupation and ‘special category data’ such as race, ethnic origin, politics, religion, health, sex life or sexual orientation.

Why we collect personal data

This is so we can that we can contact you if necessary and even more necessary with online work, to provide immediate assistance if required.

To comply with the recommendations of our professional body and insurance company.

The lawful basis on which we use this information.

To collect and use data you share, we must show the ICO that we have a lawful basis to do this. We also need to tell you what this lawful basis is.

We have determined that ‘legitimate interests’ is the most appropriate lawful basis for both personal (article 6) and special category data (article 9).

See https://bit.ly/2FLs0Bu for more details.

How we store your data

Your data will be stored in a fireproof lockable cabinet, on a password protected laptop and/or on a mobile phone (Touch ID enabled).

How your information may be shared or used.

Your data will be kept for the duration of our work together. However, when our work together has finished, all data except for session notes (which will be stored for up to 5 years in accordance with BACP regulations) will be deleted or securely disposed of.

Our website does not share information with third parties for advertising purposes.

Cookies used on our website are a way for websites to remember information about you.

Without them, every time you load the website, it would be as though you’ve never visited that website before.

Please see our separate cookies policy.

This website may collect the following data from you:

  • Information you provide by filling in forms on the website. This includes, but is not limited to, enquiry forms, newsletter signups, and other engagements with the site.
  • Details of your visits to our website, in the form of analytics data. This includes, but is not limited to, location data and traffic data.
  • General user information via cookies.

Your rights

You have the right:

  • to be informed about what information we hold – a link to this document will either be emailed to you during our initial communications or we will provide you with a copy at your first session.
  • to access the information, we hold – you can request this in writing at any time. We will provide you with the information within one month.
  • to have any incorrect information rectified – you can request this verbally or in writing.
  • to have your records erased (in the defence of any legal claims, we may decline to do this citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
  • to restrict processing (we may decline to do this citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
  • to data portability – e.g. you can request your notes be transferred to another counsellor.
  • to object to processing of your data (we may decline to do this citing the lawful basis of legitimate interests)
  • Access to your information

You have the right, through the Data Protection Act 1998, to access information held about you. The access request may be subject to a nominal fee to meet our costs of providing you with the information.

How to contact us

If you have any queries or comments regarding this privacy policy, please contact us via the contact details on this website.

If you have any concerns about how we have used your data please contact; The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF – Tel: 0303 123 1113 (local rate) or 01625 545 745 (national rate).

If you would like to discuss anything in this privacy statement, please contact the controller.