Privacy Policy

Please read this form in conjunction with Emma Dallimore’s Terms and Conditions.

Emma Dallimore is an Independent Speech and Language Therapist and she delivers speech and language therapy to children in their home and/ or education setting. Emma Dallimore is registered with the Health Care Professions Council.

This statement sets out Emma Dallimore ‘s policy in relation to the holding and using of information about you/ your child which may be obtained from you or other sources during your treatment. With your permission, this data may be shared with yourself, your relatives, and other healthcare or education professionals. Emma Dallimore is registered as a Data Controller with The Office of the Data Protection Registrar.

Emma Dallimore operates a website at www.emmadallimore.co.uk

What kind of information will be collected and how?

The following list includes examples of personal information which may be obtained via spoken or written sources from parents/carers. Provided parents/carers give consent, information may also be collected from other professionals working with your child (e.g. GPs, NHS Speech and Language Therapists, School staff):

  • Child’s name, age, date of birth, home address, medical history, educational details, speech and language history, developmental milestones.
  • Parent/Carer names, phone numbers, email addresses, home address, family history of any communication/learning difficulties.
  • Family set up e.g. who lives with your child and languages spoken.
  • Information relevant to educational settings (e.g. recent test scores, teachers name).

You may use Emma Dallimore’s website without providing any personal information.

How will the information be used?

The information listed above may be used in any of the following examples:

  • Communicate with parents/carers via post, email, phone and/or text message to arrange appointments, send password-protected child relevant documents (e.g. reports/ programmes), general communication between appointments, send invoices and resources.
  • Prepare, plan and provide speech and language therapy services appropriate for your child’s needs.
  • Communicate with other relevant professionals/people known to the child where parents have previously given consent.
  • Communicate with others if this is required by the law (e.g. safeguarding concerns). This is the only time personal information will be shared with relevant professionals without permission from parents.
  • Complete audits.
  • For administration, for example client initials are included on a travel mileage spreadsheet which may be shared with an accountant.

Information will be sent without personal identifiers whenever possible (e.g. using a child’s initial letter only instead of their full/first name).

What is the lawful basis for processing the personal information?

The lawful basis for processing and storing personal information is one of ‘legitimate interest’ under article 6 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It is not possible to adequately deliver a service to your child without processing their personal information.

Information relating to an individual’s health is classified as ‘Special Category Data’ under section 9 of the GDPR. The regulations state that health professionals who are “legally bound to professional secrecy” may have a lawful basis for processing this data. Speech and Language Therapists are legally bound to keep client information confidential and it is under this condition that personal information is stored and processed.

How is the personal information stored?

The personal information is stored in paper and electronic formats. A paper file is opened when a new client is seen and copies of previous reports, a case history etc are stored in the client file. All information is kept in a lockable filing cabinet/s in a secure location. If any personal information is taken away from the lockable filing cabinet, the minimum amount will be taken, and it will be kept with Emma Dallimore, Speech and Language Therapist, or in a locked location (e.g. car boot), whichever is most secure at the time. Electronic information is held on a password-protected computer and/or hard drive. Any reports that Emma writes are saved with individual passwords which will only be shared with the parent/carer and any other agreed professionals, with prior parental consent. Emma Dallimore has a password protection on her mobile phone which keeps any client phone numbers and text messages secure.

Videos may be taken of clients with parental consent. These are temporarily stored on an electronic device which has a password. These may be watched by Emma Dallimore to make notes in the child’s file and the video may be watched with the parent/carer in the session or subsequent session when completing a block of parent child interaction (PCI) therapy or Palin PCI. The video will then be deleted after the session or at latest at the end of the current therapy block.

In accordance with our professional standards we are required to keep records securely until the child’s 25th birthday. After this time all records relating to your child will be destroyed.

How is the personal information kept confidential and secure?

  • Using password protected documents and hard drives.
  • Using Virus software.
  • Keeping up to date with information from ICO and other relevant organisations.
  • Storing the key for locked filing cabinets in a hidden location.
  • Locking up information when it is not in use.
  • Reviewing and updating policies.

Emma Dallimore’s responsibilities

Emma Dallimore is committed to maintaining the confidentiality and security of your child’s information. Client details are not given or sold to any third parties. Emma does not employ agents to process personal data. Relevant data is only collected for her role and for accounting purposes. Emma Dallimore will continue to comply with current data protection regulations.

 What are my rights?

  • You have the right to withdraw permission at any time. However, because information is processed on a legitimate basis, it is not possible to request erasure of personal information.
  • You have the right to ask for a record to be amended if the data is inaccurate e.g. changing a home address.
  • You have the right to request a copy of the personal information that is held about you and your child. This request should be made in writing. This is called a Subject Access Request and it is free of charge. All requests will aim to be processed and completed within 30 days of receipt.

 

If you require any further information or you have any questions regarding this privacy policy please contact Emma Dallimore on:

Phone: 07771658097                                      Email: emma.dallimore@hotmail.com

Further Information about data protection and your rights can be found through the Information Commissioners Office: https://ico.org.uk/

Please note that this Privacy Policy is likely to be updated as further information and advice about GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is provided.