Children, families and young people’s service privacy notice

Who is the data controller for the information I provide?

Liverpool City Council is the Data Controller for the information that you provide. All areas within the directorate of Liverpool Children and Families Service are committed to protecting your personal information

Why we collect your data

Liverpool Children’s Services responsible for carrying out a wide range of provisions and duties under the Children and Families Act 2014.

It is very important that we are able to plan, monitor and realign our delivery of services to meet the needs of Liverpool’s children and families’. To do this, we carefully and responsibly use the information we collect. Where personal information is used for statistical purposes we will ensure it is anonymized.

In certain cases, such as safeguarding inquiries and criminal investigations we are legally obliged to provide information to the police. However we have procedures in place that allows this to be carried out in a secure and confidential manner. 

What is the legal basis for collecting and processing this data?

All organisations must provide a legal basis for processing your information. In most cases this is found under the Data Protection Act 2018, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

  • Education Act 1996
  • Children and Families Act 2014
  • Children Act 1989
  • Children and Social Work Act 2017
  • Education and Inspection Act 2011
  • Education and Skills Act 2008
  • Working together to Safeguard Children 2015 – Statutory Guidance
  • Children and Social Work Act 2017
  • Adoption and Children’s Act 2002
  • Foster Services Regulations 2011 – Statutory Guidance
  • Care Standards Act 2000
  • Securing Sufficient Accommodation for Looked Children – Statutory Guidance
  • Crime and Disorder Act 1998
  • Equalities Act 2010

Information we may collect

The information you provide helps us to support you and your family and meet our legal responsibilities, for example as part of an assessment of educational, social care or family support needs.

The information will be regarded as personal and sensitive but we will ensure we only ask you for information that is necessary for us to provide you with a service or meet our legal obligations.  

Out teams also receive information from a variety of third-party organisations and individuals. We process and retain this information as part of our statutory obligations and duties, however, your data rights remain unaffected.

Who will your information be shared with?

We may be required by law to share personal data relating to individuals/families and children to other Government departments and our authorised partner agencies organisations

Wherever possible we will discuss with you the reasons for sharing information and ask for your informed and explicit consent. However, in some circumstances, the law and our policies allow us to share information without your consent, for example, when we feel that you or others are at risk of harm. When sharing information we do so in line with data protection legislation and agreed information sharing protocols.

Here is a list of some of the organisations that we may be required to share your information with:  

  • authorised teams within Liverpool City Council working to improve outcomes for children and young people
  • commissioned providers of local authority services (such as education or health services)
  • schools, colleges and early years providers as well as wider education or training providers
  • local multi-agency forums
  • partner organisations signed up to our Information Sharing Agreements, where necessary, which may include NHS teams, health visitors, midwives, district councils, housing providers, Police, Crown Prosecution Service, school nurses, doctors and mental health workers
  • other local authorities and social care or health providers outside the Local Authority
  • Department of Government and statutory bodies

Even though we are required to share your information with authorised partner organisations, we will ensure this is done in a secure manner, and the information is proportionate in order for them deliver your services.  

How long will you keep this information for?

Your information will only be held for as long as necessary to achieve the relevant purpose unless we are legally required to retain it for a specific period of time. It will only be held for the periods stated in our record retention schedule, after which it will be securely destroyed.

Please see What we do with your data for the council's full retention schedule.

How will my information be stored?

Your information will be stored securely on our computer databases. Access to these databases will be restricted to those who are entitled to view and process your data. If the information is collected in a paper format we will also ensure it is kept secure and destroyed when no longer required

Will my data be transferred abroad? 

No

What rights do I have when it comes to my data?

You have a number of rights that are set out on the How to access your data page of this section.

Where can I get advice?

View our Help and advice page for more information.