Your privacy and confidentiality are important to me. This policy outlines my approach.
- Personal Data I collect
I collect the following types of personal data, for which I am registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office:
• Brief session notes
• Name, address, phone number, and email address
• Emergency contact details
• GP/doctor’s name - Data Storage and Security
Your personal data is stored securely in line with GDPR requirements as follows:
• Information on paper/hard copies will be locked away securely
• Emails and online communication are handled through secure software. If our sessions are online, a secure video platform will be used and all reasonable steps wil be taken to ensure confidentiality and privacy.
• Digital records are stored on password-protected devices or encrypted systems - How Your Information Is Used
Your information is used solely for the purposes of:
• Providing counselling services
• Scheduling sessions and managing appointments
• Communicating with you
• Keeping records in line with professional and legal obligations. I will never sell or share your personal data for marketing purposes. - Confidentiality
Everything you share in sessions is confidential, with the following exceptions:
• If I think there is a serious risk of harm or threat to life of yourself or others. This includes risk of abuse or neglect of vulnerable people, including children and young people.
• Where there is a legal requirement to disclose information. This could be because it has been ordered by a court, or because the law requires, for example under the Terrorism Act 2000 or the Drug Trafficking Offences Act 1986 or offences relating to money laundering, for information to be passed on without consent.
I will always discuss any need to break confidentiality with you first, where this is possible.
As part of my professional standards, I may need to share and discuss some of the information in the sessions with a qualified supervisor, always under a strict confidential and professional framework. - For the parents of Children and Young People:
• I will be discussing confidentiality in the first session with your child. Please allow your child to decide whether and how much they wish to talk with you about their sessions.
• If your child discloses something I believe indicates risk of serious harm to themselves or others then I will be in touch with you. (See the ‘Confidentiality ’ section above). For this reason, please be accessible during session times.
• Please feel free to contact me to request an update on how the sessions are going and I will then consult with your child and provide an answer.
• Please note that I am not at liberty to disclose thoughts or intentions of self-harm with parents/guardians unless I believe there is serious risk of danger to the client. - Retention of Records
I will retain your records for 7 years after the end of our work together, in line with legal and professional guidelines. After this period, your data will be securely destroyed. - Your Rights
You have the right to:
• Access the personal data I hold about you
• Request corrections or updates to your data
• Ask for your data to be deleted (subject to legal obligations)
• Withdraw consent (where applicable). - Changes to This Policy
I may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be communicated to you and made available upon request. - Contact
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or how your data is handled, please contact: info@bencastlecounselling.org.uk