Cookie Policy for Skills for People
What Are Cookies
As is common practice with almost all professional websites use cookies, which are tiny files that are downloaded to your computer, to improve your experience. This page describes what information they gather, how we use it and why we sometimes need to store these cookies. We will also share how you can prevent these cookies from being stored however this may downgrade or ‘break’ certain elements of the sites functionality.
For more general information on cookies see the Wikipedia article on HTTP Cookies.
How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for a variety of reasons detailed below. Unfortunately in most cases there are no industry standard options for disabling cookies without completely disabling the functionality and features they add to this site. It is recommended that you leave on all cookies if you are not sure whether you need them or not in case they are used to provide a service that you use.
Disabling Cookies
You can prevent the setting of cookies by adjusting the settings on your browser (see your browser Help for how to do this). Be aware that disabling cookies will affect the functionality of this and many other websites that you visit. Disabling cookies will usually result in also disabling certain functionality and features of the site. Therefore it is recommended that you do not disable cookies.
Third Party Cookies
In some special cases we also use cookies provided by trusted third parties. The following section details which third party cookies you might encounter through this site.
- This site uses Google Analytics which is one of the most widespread and trusted analytics solution on the web for helping us to understand how you use the site and ways that we can improve your experience. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and the pages that you visit so we can continue to produce engaging content.
For more information on Google Analytics cookies, see the official Google Analytics page.
More Information
Hopefully that has clarified things for you and as was previously mentioned if there is something that you aren’t sure whether you need or not it’s usually safer to leave cookies enabled in case it does interact with one of the features you use on our site.
However if you are still looking for more information, you can contact us through email at information@skillsforpeople.org.uk
Skills for People Privacy Statement
At Skills for People we collect and use your personal information so we can let you know about our services, and the groups/courses or events which you are interested in, or in order to provide information, guidance and support. We only ask for the information we need. We always let you decide what you’re comfortable telling us, explain why we need it and treat it as confidential.
When we record and use your personal information we:
- only access it when we have a good reason
- only share what is necessary and relevant
- don’t sell it to anyone
We handle and store your personal information in line with the law.
This Skills for People privacy policy will tell you most of what you need to know about what happens to your personal information.
What we do with your information
How we handle your personal information depends on how you interact with us.
1. If you want to join our mailing list for groups, courses and events
What information we ask for
We’ll ask for your personal details such as name, address, telephone number and email address, and any support needs you may have which we need to know about to ensure you can be involved at Skills for People.
We might ask for diversity information like your gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. You don’t have to tell us this – if you do, it’s always anonymised. This means you cannot be identified.
How we use your information
We’ll use the information you give us to keep in touch and let you know about courses, groups and events which you might be interested in.
We’ll use the diversity information to make sure we’re employing a diverse workforce and volunteer community.
Staff who access your information have had information protection training to make sure your information is handled sensitively and securely.
Storing your information
We keep your information securely, in line with data protection law. We will contact you every two years to make sure our information is up to date. We will delete your personal information after two years.
2. When you get information, guidance, advocacy or support from one of our team
We’ll get your permission by asking you to either:
- sign a paper consent form
- give agreement over the phone if you call us for information or advice
Before we ask for your permission, we’ll explain how we use your information.
If you’re using our advocacy or advice services and you’ve been referred to us from a social worker, or somebody who works for a council, or health organisation, they will send us your information using a referral form. They will get the necessary permission before sending us your information.
What information we ask for
We’ll only ask for information that’s relevant to your query or problem. Depending on what you want help with, this might include:
- your name and contact details – so we can keep in touch with you in relation to your case
- personal information – for example about family, work, or financial circumstances
- details about services you get that are causing you problems – like a school, or a council or health organisation
- information like your gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation
If you don’t want to give us certain information, you don’t have to. For example, if you want to stay anonymous we’ll only record information about your problem and make sure you’re not identified.
How we use your information
The main reason we ask for your information is to help you, with information, advice, guidance or advocacy.
We only access your information for other reasons if we really need to – for example:
- for training and quality purposes
- to investigate complaints
- to get feedback from you about our services
- to help us improve our services
All staff accessing data have had data protection training to make sure your information is handled sensitively and securely.
Understanding people’s problems
We use some information to create report about who we’re helping and what problems or queries are the most common. This information is always anonymised – you can’t be identified.
We share these reports with funders, regulators, government departments and publicly on our blogs, reports, social media and press releases.
The reports help us to work with local services to help make services better.
When we share your information with other organisations
With your permission, we might share your information with other organisations in order to help you, or to monitor the quality of our services.
Organisations we share your data with must store and use your data in line with data protection law.
Sharing information so we can help you
If you ask us to act on your behalf we might need to share some of your information with other organisations – we’ll always tell you when we do this.
If we refer you to another organisation for more advice, we might share information about your problem with them so they can help you more quickly.
Storing your information
Whether you get support face to face, over the phone or by email, our staff member will log all your information, correspondence, and notes about your problem into our secure case management system.
Some of your information might also be kept within our secure email and IT system.
We keep your information for 7 years. If your case has been subject to a serious complaint, insurance claim or other dispute we keep the data for longer.
Our case management system is hosted by Charity Log. Charity Log stores your information on our behalf, in the UK, in line with data protection law.
Charity Log
Dizions Ltd
Overross House
Ross Park
Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 7US
Our IT system is managed by
Tecuna Limited
Cobalt Business Exchange
Colbalt Park Way
Tyne and Wear
NE28 9NZ
3. Applying for a job or to be a volunteer
If you apply to work or volunteer at Skills for People, we collect your personal information through your application form, interview or references so we can process your application.
If you’re offered a role, where applicable, we may ask you to fill out a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) form as part of mandatory background checks. A DBS form does ask for some personal information as part of the background check process. These forms are stored and processed securely and confidentially online. You can read more about DBS checks and processes on the GOV.UK website.
You will be asked to provide evidence of your identity to support your application. This information is not stored by us and is destroyed immediately after the application.
Other than the DBS, we don’t share your information with external organisations – it’s only shared internally so that we can review your application.
What information we ask for
We only ask for information which is relevant to the role you’re applying for.
We’ll collect personal details such as name, address, telephone number and email address, previous job history and experience, qualifications, and any support needs you may have.
We’ll also ask for diversity information like your gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. You don’t have to tell us this – if you do, it’s always anonymised. This means you cannot be identified.
We might collect other information depending on whether you’ve applied for a staff or volunteer role.
You’ve applied for a staff role
If we offer you a position, we’ll ask for:
- references for your previous and current work
- proof of your right to work in the UK, like a valid UK passport or visa
- your national insurance number and P45
- your bank details, so we can pay you
Sometimes, where it’s needed for the role, we might contact the DBS for a criminal record check. We only keep the certificate number and date of the check, in line with best practice.
You’ve applied for a volunteer role
If we offer you a volunteering position, we’ll ask your referees about your previous and current work and experience.
We might contact the DBS for a criminal record check, if relevant. We only keep the certificate number and date of the check, in line with best practice.
How we use your information
We’ll use the information you give us to decide whether or not you’ve got the right skills for the role.
We’ll use the diversity information to make sure we’re employing a diverse workforce and volunteer community.
Staff who access your information have had information protection training to make sure your information is handled sensitively and securely.
Storing your information
We keep your information securely, in line with data protection law.
If you make a complaint about Skills for People
If you’re not happy with how we’ve handled your data, you can make a complaint.
If you make a complaint, we collect personal information from you so we can help deal with your complaint.
We collect your information from you via phone, email or letter – depending on how you complain.
If someone contacts us on your behalf about a complaint we’ll get your permission before we log any of your information.
What information we ask for
So we can help you with your complaint, we need to know:
- your name
- one way we can get in touch with you – email, phone or address
- details of the complaint
You don’t have to tell us, but we’ll also ask you about your:
- address
- phone number
- how Skills for People has been working with you
If your complaint is about advice you received, we might need to look at the information we’ve recorded about your problem.
How we use your information
We use the information you give us to deal with your complaint.
We’ll only access your information for other reasons if we really need to – for example:
- for training and quality purposes
- to include anonymised complaint statistics in internal reports
All staff accessing data have done data protection training to make sure your information is handled sensitively and securely.
When we share your data
If your complaint involves an insurance claim, we might share details of your complaint with our insurer.
Storing your information
We’ll store your information securely in line with data protection law.
We keep your data for 7 years. If your complaint is serious or involves an insurance claim or other dispute we keep the data for longer.
4. When we might share information
In some situations the law means we may share personal or sensitive information even without a person’s consent. These are the situations:
- If something you’ve told us makes us think you or someone you know might be in danger, we could tell the police or social services – for example if we think you might hurt yourself or someone else.
- To carry out a legal duty.
- To conduct legal proceedings, obtain legal advice or defend legal rights.
- Equality monitoring of protected characteristics, including age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation
- To provide a confidential service where we cannot gain consent from the person, or where it is reasonable to proceed without consent.
- Criminal investigations.
5. Contact us about your data
You can contact us at any time and ask us:
- what information we’ve stored about you
- to change or update your details
- to delete your details from our records
If you’re getting in touch about how Skills for People handles your data, please contact information@skillsforpeople.org.uk or phone 0191 281 8737.
6. If you want to make a complaint
If you’re not happy with how we’ve handled your data, you can make a complaint. Please email information@skillsforpeople.org.uk or phone 0191 281 8737 and we will give you details of our complaints procedure.