Reach Out
Who we are and what we do
The London Borough of Redbridge Council is a data controller under the UK Data Protection law as we collect and process personal information about you in order to identify risks to children at the earliest point and respond with the most effective interventions.
Any questions regarding our privacy practices should be sent by email to data.protection@redbridge.gov.uk or in writing to
Data Protection Officer
6th Floor Rear
255-259 High Road
Ilford, Essex IG1 1NY
Telephone: 0208 708 3890
Why we need your information and how we use it
Reach Out is a domestic abuse service. We provide a range of practical and emotional support to victims/ survivors aged 16 or over and any children/ young people who have been impacted by domestic abuse. We also offer help to those wanting to address their abusive behaviour through the Spotlight Programme. This privacy notice covers all initiatives provided via the Reach Out service, including the Spotlight Programme.
Sharing information is a fundamental way to gain accurate risk assessments to effectively safeguarded adults and children. It is a key factor identified in many domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) and serious case reviews (SCRs), that poor information sharing has resulted in missed opportunities to take action that keeps families and individuals safe.
In order to support people using the Reach Out service we need to collect user’s demographic and contact information to create a record on our Information Communication Systems (ICS) EHM / Protocol system. Information gathered maybe used to safeguard children or vulnerable adults from harm. In line with the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 information may be used to support victims / survivors and strengthen the effectiveness of the criminal justice system response to provide protection for victims and to bring perpetrators to justice.
What is the source of your personal data?
In most cases we will obtain your personal data directly from you. If we get it from another source, we will:
- Inform you of the source within a reasonable period after obtaining the personal data, but at the latest within one month or when we first communicate with you using that information (which) ever is the earliest.
- We will also tell you if we disclosure or envisage disclosing that personal data to another party.
What type of information is collected from you?
- Demographic details (name, DOB, gender, ethnicity, language, sexuality, disability)
- Contact information (phone number, e-mail, and home address)
- Family details
- Mental and physical health details
- Financial details
- Housing needs
- Case file information
- Lifestyle and social circumstances
- Offences including alleged offences
- Advocacy details
Who your information may be shared with
Internally
- Demographic information (name, gender, DOB, ethnicity, language, sexuality, disability.) about the child and their family and contact details; address, telephone number and e-mail address.
- Reason for referral
- Children & Families (Social Services, Education & Inclusion)
- Adult Social Services
- Redbridge Housing Department
Externally
- Police
- Health
- Housing
- Probation
- Youth Offending service
- Mental health services
- Substance mis-use agencies
- Education Welfare
- Schools
- Fire service
- Other Independent Domestic Abuse Services
- Department of work and pensions
- Other Local Authorities
How long we keep your information (retention period)
Organisations set their own deadlines based on whatever grounds they see fit. The only requirement is that the organisation must document and justify why it has set the timeframe it has.
The decision should be based on two key factors: the purpose for processing the data, and any regulatory or legal requirements for retaining it.
Data should not be held for longer than is needed and shouldn’t be kept just in case you have a need for it in the future. As long as one of your purposes still applies, an organisation continues to store the data. We have a robust minimum archiving and retention timescales for purging data we collect. However, the Chief Executive of the Local Authority has received notice from The Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, established by the Home Secretary, instructing the Authority to retain any and all documents; correspondence; notes; emails and all other information – however held – which contain or may contain content pertaining directly or indirectly to the sexual abuse of children or to child protection and care.
The retention timescales for high-risk domestic abuse cases are 30 years. This retention period is essential for contributing to key muti agency meetings such as domestic homicide reviews. The standard retention period for low and medium risk cases are 12 years.
These retention periods are determined under the following legislation:
- General Data Protection Regulation
- Data Protection Act 2018
- The Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- The 1989 Children Act
- The Adoption and Children Act 2002
- The Care Act 2014
Marketing and E-Newsletters
Information collected is not used for marketing or sending out e-newsletters, but social workers / family support workers may use this information to inform families with information about advocacy.
Business Intelligence, Profiling and Automated-Decision making.
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice.
Protecting your information
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice.
How you can access, update, or correct your information
The Data Protection law gives you the right to apply for a copy of information about yourself. This is called a ‘Subject Access Request'.
Find out how to make a Subject Access Request
Your information choice and rights
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice.
Information Commissioner’s Office, telephone: 0303 123 1113 or Make a complaint | ICO
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice. Redbridge - Privacy and cookies
