General Data Protection Policy
1. Introduction

Wessex Garages Ltd needs to collect and use certain types of information about the Individuals or Service Users who come into contact with Wessex Garages Ltd in order to carry on our work. This personal information must be collected and dealt with appropriately whether is collected on paper, stored in a computer database, or recorded on other material and there are safeguards to ensure this under the Data Protection Act 1998.

2. Data Controller

Wessex Garages Ltd is theData Controller under the Act, which means that it determines what purposes personal information held, will be used for. It is also responsible for notifying the Information Commissioner of the data it holds or is likely to hold, and the general purposes that this data will be used for.

3. Disclosure

Wessex Garages Ltdmay share data with other agencies such asthe local authority, funding bodies and other voluntary agencies.

The Individual/Service User will be made aware in most circumstances how and with whom their information will be shared.There are circumstances where the law allows Wessex Garages Ltdto disclose data (including sensitive data) without the data subject’s consent.

These are:

Carrying out a legal duty or as authorised by the Secretary of State
Protecting vital interests of a Individual/Service User or other person
The Individual/Service User has already made the information public
Conducting any legal proceedings, obtaining legal advice or defending any legal rights
Monitoring for equal opportunities purposes – i.e. race, disability or religion
Providing a confidential service where the Individual/Service User’s consent cannot be obtained or where it is reasonable to proceed without consent: e.g. where we would wish to avoid forcing stressed or ill Individuals/Service Users to provide consent signatures.
Wessex Garages Ltd regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal information as very important to successful working, and to maintaining the confidence of those with whom we deal.

Wessex Garages Ltd intends to ensure that personal information is treated lawfully and correctly.

To this end, Wessex Garages Ltd will adhere to the Principles of Data Protection, as detailed in the General Data Protection Regulations.

Specifically, the Principles require that personal information:

Shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless specific conditions are met,
Shall be obtained only for one or more of the purposes specified in the Act, and shall not be processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes,
Shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to those purpose(s)
Shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date,
Shall not be kept for longer than is necessary
Shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the Act,
Shall be kept secure by the Data Controller who takes appropriate technical and other measures to prevent unauthorised or unlawful processing or accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal information,
Shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of Individuals/Service Users in relation to the processing of personal information.
Wessex Garages Ltdwill, through appropriate management and strict application of criteria and controls:

Observe fully conditions regarding the fair collection and use of information
Meet its legal obligations to specify the purposes for which information is used
Collect and process appropriate information, and only to the extent that it is needed to fulfill its operational needs or to comply with any legal requirements
Ensure the quality of information used
Ensure that the rights of people about whom information is held, can be fully exercised under the Act. These include:
The right to be informed that processing is being undertaken,
The right of access to one’s personal information
The right to prevent processing in certain circumstances and
The right to correct, rectify, block or erase information
Take appropriate technical and organisational security measures to safeguard personal information
Ensure that personal information is not transferred abroad without suitable safeguards
Treat people justly and fairly whatever their age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity when dealing with requests for information
Set out clear procedures for responding to requests for information
4. Data collection

Informed consent is when

An Individual/Service User clearly understands why their information is needed, who it will be shared with, the possible consequences of them agreeing or refusing the proposed use of the data
And then gives their consent.
Wessex Garages Ltd will ensure that data is collected within the boundaries defined in this policy. This applies to data that is collected in person, or by completing a form.

When collecting data, Wessex Garages Ltd will ensure that the Individual/Service User:

Clearly understands why the information is needed
Understands what it will be used for and what the consequences are should the Individual/Service User decide not to give consent to processing
As far as reasonably possible, grants explicit consent, either written or verbal for data to be processed
Is, as far as reasonably practicable, competent enough to give consent and has given so freely without any duress
Has received sufficient information on why their data is needed and how it will be used
5. Data Storage

Information and records relating to service users will be stored securely and will only be accessible to authorised staff and volunteers.

Information will be stored for only as long as it is needed or required statute and will be disposed of appropriately.

It is Wessex Garages Ltdresponsibility to ensure all personal and company data is non-recoverable from any computer system previously used within the organisation, which has been passed on/sold to a third party.

6. Data access and accuracy

All Individuals/Service Users have the right to access the information Wessex Garages Ltd holds about them. Wessex Garages Ltd will also take reasonable steps ensure that this information is kept up to date by asking data subjects whether there have been any changes.

In addition, Wessex Garages Ltd will ensure that:


It has a Data Protection Officer with specific responsibility for ensuring compliance with Data Protection
Everyone processing personal information understands that they are contractually responsible for following good data protection practice
Everyone processing personal information is appropriately trained to do so
Everyone processing personal information is appropriately supervised
Anybody wanting to make enquiries about handling personal information knows what to do
It deals promptly and courteously with any enquiries about handling personal information
It describes clearly how it handles personal information
It will regularly review and audit the ways it hold, manage and use personal information
It regularly assesses and evaluates its methods and performance in relation to handling personal information
All staff are aware that a breach of the rules and procedures identified in this policy may lead to disciplinary action being taken against them
This policy will be updated as necessary to reflect best practice in data management, security and control and to ensure compliance with any changes or amendments made to the General Data Protection Regulations.

In case of any queries or questions in relation to this policy please contact the Wessex Garages Ltd Data Protection Officer.

Glossary of Terms


Data Controller – The person who (either alone or with others) decides what personal information Wessex Garages Ltdwill hold and how it will be held or used.

Data Protection Act 1998 – The UK legislation that provides a framework for responsible behaviour by those using personal information.

Data Protection Officer – The person(s) responsible for ensuring that Wessex Garages Ltd

follows its data protection policy and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998.

Individual/Service User – The person whose personal information is being held or processed by Wessex Garages Ltd for example: a client, an employee, or supporter.

Explicit consent – is a freely given, specific and informed agreement by an Individual/Service User in the processing of personal information about her/him. Explicit consent is needed for processing sensitive data.

Notification – Notifying the Information Commissioner about the data processing activities of Wessex Garages Ltd , as certain activities may be exempt from notification.

Information Commissioner – The UK Information Commissioner responsible for implementing and overseeing the Data Protection Act 1998.

Processing – means collecting, amending, handling, storing or disclosing personal information.

Personal Information – Information about living individuals that enables them to be identified – e.g. name and address. It does not apply to information about organisations, companies and agencies but applies to named persons, such as individual volunteers or employees within group.

Sensitive data – refers to data about:


Racial or ethnic origin
Political affiliations
Religion or similar beliefs
Trade union membership
Physical or mental health
Sexuality
Criminal record or proceedings