Privacy Policy
1 About this privacy code
This privacy code provides an overview of how we comply with data protection legislation to protect the rights of the individuals we deal with.
2 How we collect personal information
2.1 By the use of “cookies” on our website - cookies are small text files or variables which enable a website to “remember” who you are. Most browsers are automatically set to accept cookies but you should be able to configure your browser to restrict cookies or block all cookies if you wish. This will however, affect your ability to log into any restricted areas of our website. No cookies on our site are served or used by third parties.
2.2 Through completion of online forms on our website - We collect information about you when you register to use restricted areas of our website. We collect information about you if you complete any of the various forms on our site to contact us, make enquiries, apply to us, respond to surveys or give us feedback. We need you to give us certain information, which will be indicated on the form. It would help us if you give us any other information we ask for that you think might be relevant but you are under no obligation to do so.
2.3 Through web site statistics - We do keep a record of traffic data which is logged automatically by our server, such as your IP address, the URL you visited before ours, the URL you visit after leaving our site and which pages you visit. We also collect some site statistics such as page hits and page views. We are not readily able to identify any individual from traffic data or site statistics.
2.4 By you contacting us by other methods other than the website - The website provides various telephone and fax numbers and email addresses for you to contact us. We will collect information from you through any of these methods. We may also collect other information you supply to us after your initial contact with us.
3 What personal information we collect, and why
The information we collect about you will depend on the nature of your business with us. Here is a brief description of the information we collect and how we use it.
3.1 Information you give us on your own initiative - We will use the details you give us to provide information you ask for or to put you in contact with other organisations that may be able to help, process any application you make and review and improve our services.
3.2 When you give us your contact details, we may ask you whether or not you would like to receive further information from us. This may be our own information or that produced by other organisations. We may send this information to you by a variety of means. We may also ask you if you would like us to pass on your details to partner organisations. If you agree but then change your mind, you will need to contact these organisations direct to ask to be removed from their lists.
4 How we safeguard personal information
We recognise that you retain rights in the personal information we hold about you. We will keep that information secure, and use it only for specific legitimate purposes.
4.1 We have obligations to keep personal information secure, which we take seriously - We will keep personal information secure by taking appropriate technical and staff measures against the unauthorised or unlawful processing of that information and against its accidental loss, destruction or damage.
We take steps to ensure the personal information we have is high quality. However we cannot do this without your help! So please ensure you give us accurate information, tell us as soon as possible of any changes, and tell us as soon as possible if you notice mistakes in the information we hold about you as this helps us to keep our information reliable and up-to-date. We can also contact you to check whether the information we have on you is still accurate and up to date. We will keep personal information until you inform us you no longer wish us to.
4.2 We keep confidential information confidential - Please note that under a freedom of information code of practice, we are not permitted to class as “confidential” information that is not actually confidential in reality, even if it is marked confidential. However in respect of any information we receive from you that is truly confidential, we will take steps to ensure it remains confidential. Unauthorised disclosure or misuse of personal information by staff will lead to disciplinary action.
4.3 We review our policies and audit our procedures regularly - We review this code and our other data protection policies regularly to make sure they are appropriate and up to date. We also carry out regular audits to monitor our security policies and procedures and revise them if necessary.
5 With whom we share personal information, and why
Most of the time, information is shared on a case-by-case basis. If we do enter into any "block" sharing of your information with other organisations in the partnership, it will be strictly for the purposes specified above in who we are and what we do and done only with your consent, or as permitted by law. From 1 January 2005, we may be required to disclose information about your business in response to an access request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, unless an exemption applies.
6 Your rights under data protection legislation
You have the right to be removed from our mailing lists. Instructions on how to stop further mailings will usually be contained in any direct marketing material we send you. Otherwise please contact us. You also have the right to correct any errors in information we hold about you, and to change or correct any details you have already given us. Please inform us about changes to your details so that we can keep our records accurate and up to date. For further information, please contact us.
7 How to make a complaint
Any complaints about our handling of personal information should be addressed to us, at the address on the homepage. If your complaint relates to the handling of your personal information by an organisation with which we share information, then please let us know that. We aim to respond to your complaint within 20 days of receiving it. You have a right of appeal in relation to any decision we make, which we will tell you about when we respond to your complaint. We will always review policies in line with any justified complaints.
8 How to find out more
If you want to know more about what information we have about you, or the way we use your information, you can contact us at the address shown on the homepage.
