Information for the Public
This information relates to data received, held, processed or shared by Newcastle City Council to provide Early Help services. These include (but are not limited to) the work of the Early Help Locality Teams. It should be read alongside the general information about Newcastle City Council’s data processing. This can be found on our Privacy Notice page.
Children and Families Newcastle
Children and Families Newcastle is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about how we collect, use, store and share information about children, young people, parents, carers and families who receive support from our services.
This Privacy Notice explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, and your rights regarding your information.
Who we are
This information relates to data received, held, processed or shared by Newcastle City Council to provide Family Help services. These include (but are not limited to) Children Families Newcastle (CFN) Connect, Family Help Services, Children and Families Newcastle (CFN) Protect, Family Help Additional Support Needs Team, Pre-Birth Team, Community Family Offer services.
We process personal information to deliver services, assess needs, safeguard children, improve outcomes, and meet our legal responsibilities.
It should be read alongside the general information about Newcastle City Council’s data processing.
What information we collect
We may collect and process information about:
Children and Young People
- name, date of birth, gender and contact details
- address and family circumstances
- school or educational information
- health and wellbeing information
- information about disabilities or additional needs
- safeguarding concerns and assessments
- details of services provided
- records of meetings, visits and interventions
Parents, Carers and Family Members
- names and contact details
- relationship to the child or young person
- household and family information
- employment and financial information where relevant
- health information where it impacts the support being provided
- information shared during assessments or support planning
Sensitive Information
Some information we collect is considered "special category" personal data, such as:
- health information
- ethnic origin
- religion or beliefs (where relevant)
- information relating to safeguarding concerns
We only process this information where the law allows us to do so.
Why we use your information
We use personal information to:
- assess the needs of children and families
- deliver support and intervention services
- safeguard and promote the welfare of children
- develop and review support plans
- coordinate services with partner organisations
- monitor and improve service quality
- meet statutory duties and legal obligations
- manage complaints and feedback
- produce statistical and management information
Our legal basis for processing information
We process personal information under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
The lawful bases we rely on include:
- Public Task – carrying out official functions and statutory duties relating to children's services.
- Legal Obligation – complying with laws that require us to safeguard and support children and families.
- Vital Interests – where processing is necessary to protect someone from serious harm.
- Substantial Public Interest – for safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals.
Where working in agreement with us is used, you will be told clearly what you are agreeing to and how you can withdraw this agreement.
Who we share information with
We may share information where necessary and lawful with:
- schools, colleges and education providers
- health services, including NHS organisations
- police and criminal justice agencies
- family support services
- social care providers
- housing services
- voluntary and community organisations supporting families
- government departments and regulatory bodies
- researchers/evaluators instructed by central government
- other local authorities
Information will only be shared, when necessary, proportionate and in accordance with data protection laws and safeguarding requirements.
Safeguarding and Information Sharing
Protecting children is our priority.
We may share information without consent where there are concerns about a child's safety, welfare or wellbeing, or where required by law. Decisions to share information are made carefully and in line with safeguarding legislation and guidance.
How Long We Keep Information
We only keep personal information for as long as necessary to provide services, fulfil our legal responsibilities, and comply with records management requirements.
Retention periods are determined by statutory guidance, legal requirements and organisational record retention schedules. This ranges from months for some records to decades for more sensitive records. After this period, information will be securely deleted or destroyed.
How We Protect Your Information
We take the security of personal information seriously and use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect information from:
- unauthorised access
- loss or theft
- misuse
- accidental disclosure
- alteration or destruction
Only authorised staff and approved partners have access to information needed to perform their duties.
Your Information Rights
Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:
- be informed about how your information is used
- request access to your personal information
- request correction of inaccurate information
- request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
- object to processing where applicable
- request deletion of information where legally permitted
- make a complaint about how your information has been handled
Children may also exercise their own rights where they are considered capable of understanding the implications of doing so. More information can be found on the council’s main privacy notice https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/your-council-and-democracy/open-data-and-access-to-information/privacy-policy
Making a Subject Access Request
You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you or your child by contacting:
Email at: dataprotection@newcastle.gov.uk
Or post at:
Information Governance Team
Newcastle City Council
Civic Centre
Barras Bridge
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8QH
Complaints
If you want to make a Data Protection related complaint, details of how to do this can be found on the Council's main website using the following link Complaints about Data Protection | Newcastle City Council
Contact Us
You can write to us at:
Customer Relations Team
Freepost RSXR-YGCJ-KKHK
Newcastle City Council
Floor 4
Civic Centre
NE1 8QH
Telephone: 0191 277 7427
E-Mail: complaintschildrens@newcastle.gov.uk
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
Website: https://www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Changes to this Privacy Notice
We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, guidance or service delivery. The most current version will always be available on our website.