The information about confidentiality in no way contravenes your rights under the Data Protection Act 1998 to access personal data that Relate hold on you.
Relate keeps confidential records and statistics about its clients. All records are kept securely and are only seen by authorised Relate personnel. These records are subject to the Data Protection Act 1998. Some of the information we collect may be classified as sensitive personal data and we can only use such data where we have your explicit consent. This data may include: racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, physical or mental health, sexual life, criminal proceedings and offences. Your personal and sensitive data will only be used in order to provide the service to you and for managing and quality assuring the service. Records are kept for a period of 7 years then destroyed securely.
Relate recognises that on rare occasions our clients may wish to exercise their rights under the Data Protection Act 1998 and make a subject access request in respect of their personal information held by Relate. Often during counselling, information is provided by more than one individual. In these cases Relate will only release information if consent has been given by all the individuals involved. If at any time you wish to exercise your right under the Act you should put the request in writing to the Centre Manager, enclose a cheque for £10 and provide evidence of your identity such as a copy of your passport or driving licence and proof of your address.
When the Centre Manager receives your written request, the £10 fee and evidence of your identity they will respond to your request within 40 working calendar days. Relates response to a valid subject access request will normally be in the form of a schedule listing and describing the personal data we hold on them. By signing this information sheet you acknowledge that you understand and agree with relates subject access policy for counselling notes.
