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GEARS+ is committed at every level and in all aspects of the service it offers to ensuring confidentiality to all those who contract, participate are employed or volunteer in the programmes on offer.

This policy ensures that all personal and sensitive organisational information however received is treated as confidential with regard to the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998.

This includes: -

• Anything of a personal nature that is not a matter of public record about a participant, applicant, employee, volunteer or Board member.
• Sensitive organisational information.
• Complying with the law in obtaining, processing and using personal information, as defined in the Data protection Act 1998.

1. Processed fairly and lawfully
2. Obtained and processed for a specific purpose
3. Adequate, relevant and not excessive
4. Accurate and up to date
5. Held for no longer than is necessary
6. Processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects
7. Kept secure from unauthorised processing or disclosure
8. Not transferred outside the EEC area unless the same safeguards apply

To comply with the data Protection Act 1998 in relation to the rights of access to data of Data Subjects.

That sensitive personal information will not be disclosed to a third party without the prior, informed consent of the individual concerned other than in exceptional circumstances. These include:

• To comply with a court order.
• Where there is a clear health or safety risk or evidence of fraud
• If a member of staff believes that a client could cause harm to themselves or to others.
• In connection with court proceedings or police enquiries.
• Anonymously for statistical research purposes.

Not to gain or seek access to information other than that for which GEARS+ has authority. In general:

• Staff will have access to the information they need to know to carry out their work and have a duty to respect the confidentiality of that information.

Use of client information for publicity purposes

GEARS+ has within the referral and consent information the permissions necessary to be able to use participants successes for publicity purposes.

GEARS+ is registered with the Information Commissioners Office registration number PZ1636859.
 
Issue number 1 effective December 2009.