Privacy Statement

We are an Independent Fostering Agency who operate in the West Midlands area supporting foster carers and providing placements for children.

On 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was introduced. It has since been replaced by the Data Protection Act 2018 which embraces all the requirements of GDPR. To comply we are required to advise you that:

• We keep personal information on you as detailed in the Fostering Regulations (2011)
• We keep your personal information for a minimum of 10 years after you cease to be a foster carer. Information on any child in your care, which may contain your details, is kept for 75 years after their 18th birthday after which time it is usually destroyed.
• Your personal data may be shared with third parties. It is likely that we will need to share your data with:
  • other members of staff at New Life Fostering
  • our ‘agents, suppliers and contractors’. For example, we may be asked by a local authority for your details to consider a foster carer for a specific child.
  • our regulator – Ofsted – for inspection purposes
• Your information is stored and handled by us is on both electronic and paper systems.
• If you want to access the information we hold on you, we must give you access within one month of receiving your request. This time limit can be extended for up to a further two months if the request is complex.
• You have a right to ask that your personal data is amended or erased.
• You have a right to at any point lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
  • You can contact them at https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email/
  • Call them on 0303 123 1113
  • Write to them at Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF

I have been asked to be the Data Controller for New Life Fostering and I will be responsible for all the personal information that we hold on you. I will ensure the agency remains compliant with data protection requirements and that the systems we have in place and practice standards we work to our compliant and safe. I will ensure audits are undertaken and will report any data breach to the Information Commissioner’s Office. I am also available to answer any of your questions on data protection.