Data Protection

Data protection is a key part of working in care - it is the practice of keeping the sensitive personal data we see every day confidential and only sharing it where it is appropriate.

This is particularly important in the era of smartphones and other technology which make sharing extremely easy.

Where messaging applications are used for work you should always anonymise our service users by using their initials, and avoid sharing anything sensitive or personal. For example, it is OK to share minor details such as meal preferences, but you should avoid sharing the details of an illness or a delicate family matter.

Similarly, if you contact other healthcare professionals it is commonplace to make sure they are a partner in your care work by asking them to confirm the postcode or date of birth of the service user.

You should definitely avoid sharing pictures of any of our service users except through secure channels such as Careplanner, and sharing photos and other sensitive data with people outside the service is likely to result in disciplinary action.

Similarly, you should avoid storing any such information on personal devices.

Please see our Data Protection Policy in full below: