Privacy Notice - Safeguarding Adults and Children

Privacy Notice

Safeguarding Adults and Children

Introduction

At College Road Surgery, we are committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults. In order to fulfil our safeguarding responsibilities, we may need to collect, use and share personal information where there are concerns about abuse, neglect, or risk of harm.

This privacy notice explains how and why we process personal data for safeguarding purposes in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

What Information We May Collect

To support safeguarding processes, we may collect and process information such as:

• Name, address, and contact details
• Date of birth and NHS number
• Medical history and clinical information
• Information about family members or carers
• Details of safeguarding concerns or incidents
• Information shared by other healthcare or safeguarding agencies

This information may come from the patient, family members, carers, healthcare professionals, or safeguarding authorities.

Why We Process This Information

We process safeguarding information to:

• Protect children and vulnerable adults from harm
• Identify safeguarding concerns or risks
• Support safeguarding investigations
• Work with other organisations to ensure patient safety
• Meet our legal and professional obligations

Lawful Basis for Processing

Safeguarding information is processed under the following lawful bases:

• Legal obligation – where we are required to share safeguarding information by law
• Public task – safeguarding is part of the NHS duty to protect patients
• Vital interests – where sharing information is necessary to protect someone from serious harm

Special category health data is processed under UK GDPR provisions relating to health and social care and safeguarding of individuals at risk.

Who We May Share Information With

Where necessary, we may share safeguarding information with relevant organisations, including:

• Local authority safeguarding teams
• Social services
• Police
• Other healthcare providers
• Community health services
• Safeguarding boards

In our area, safeguarding concerns may be shared with organisations working within Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board and Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Information will only be shared when it is necessary, lawful, and proportionate.

How We Protect Your Information

We ensure safeguarding information is handled securely by:

• Limiting access to authorised staff only
• Using secure NHS IT systems
• Following strict confidentiality policies
• Providing staff training on safeguarding and data protection

Your Rights

Under UK data protection law, patients have rights regarding their personal information, including the right to:

• Request access to their information
• Request correction of inaccurate information
• Request restrictions on certain processing activities

However, in safeguarding situations, some rights may be limited if releasing information could place someone at risk of harm.

Further Information

If you have any questions about how safeguarding information is used, please contact the Practice Manager at:

College Road Surgery

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) if you are concerned about how your information is being used