Toggle menu

Psychological Service Privacy Notice

Who are we and what do we do  

Gateshead Psychological Service is part of Gateshead Council. We are based at the Civic Centre, Gateshead and provide the following services: 

  • psychological support for education settings and families  

Our support ensures all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, can fulfil their potential. 

We aim to raise attainment, promote emotional wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes through the application of psychology to teaching, learning and behaviour.  

This privacy notice provides specific information about how we process your personal data. It is an addition to the information contained in our Corporate Privacy notice.

What type of information is collected about you  

We collect personal information to understand your needs and provide services. Information may include:   

  • name  
  • address  
  • date of birth  
  • education information 
  • gender  
  • parent or carer name, address, email and telephone number(s) 
  • school or college 
  • social care information  
  • unique pupil number  

We collect the following special category data:  

  • religious or philosophical beliefs  
  • health information  

How we collect information about you  

We collect information about you from various sources to ensure that we meet your needs, including:  

  • schools and education settings 
  • healthcare professionals  

We also receive supplementary information from:  

  • letters and reports from council colleagues within Education, Schools and Inclusion  
  • the request for involvement process  
  • other local authorities when children move into the area 
  • other health and social care professionals 

Why we need your information  

Our purpose for collecting personal information is to enable us to: 

  • provide you or your child with appropriate services and support  

We also subsequently use this data to: 

  • help us develop and improve our services  
  • measure whether our services are improving provision for children with SEND 
  • complete statistical returns to Government departments 

The lawful basis for our processing is: 

  • legal obligation to which the data controller is subject  
  • task in the public interest  

Our lawful basis for processing of sensitive personal data is: 

  • reasons of substantial public interest (with a basis in law)  

The legislation the service is obliged to comply with includes:   

  • Children and Families Act 2014 
  • SEND Code of Practice 
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 

Who your information can be shared with  

Our Corporate Privacy notice sets out the general types of information sharing that the Council carries out to fulfil statutory obligations, legal requirements and service delivery. Gateshead Psychological Service can share your information with: 

  • Education, Schools and Inclusion Directorate 
  • the Department for Education (DfE) 

We pass some anonymised information to the Department for Education (DfE). They use this to inform policy development, Local Authority performance management and funding. It also assists the development of good practice.  

  • internal and external partner services 

This expands their understanding of the needs of children living in Gateshead. It also influences the commissioning and development of related services.  

Our lawful basis for this sharing is task in the public interest and your consent is not required.   

If we wish to share your information with other council services or third parties for purposes outside of those listed above we will ask for your permission.  

How long we will keep your information  

We keep your information for as long as we need to provide services to you. We may also need to keep your information in accordance with legal or other obligations. Where we have no need to keep your data it will be securely destroyed. We keep a Record of Processing Activity (a requirement under the GDPR). This sets out the specific retention periods applicable in different circumstances. For more information please contact: epreferrals@gateshead.gov.uk  

Where your information is held  

We hold personal information in secure electronic systems on Gateshead council servers.  Paper copies are stored securely within council premises. 

How you can update your information  

Our delivery of efficient services depends on the accuracy of your information.   

Please inform us of any changes to the following:   

  • email address   
  • personal circumstances   
  • postal address   
  • any of the other information we hold   

Please contact: epreferrals@gateshead.gov.uk  

Your information rights  

Please see the relevant section of our Corporate Privacy notice.

Marketing and e-newsletters  

Please see our email marketing privacy notice. 

Business intelligence, profiling and automated-decision making  

Please see the relevant section of our Corporate Privacy notice.

Protecting your information  

Please see the relevant section of our Corporate Privacy notice.

Data Protection Officer  

Data Protection Officer  

Civic Centre  

Regent Street  

Gateshead  

NE8 1HH  

DPOcouncil@gateshead.gov.uk  

0191 433 3000  

Information Commissioner's Office  

The Information Commissioner is the UK's independent body for upholding information rights. Visit their website to find out more about your rights under Data Protection law, and what to expect from us. 

For privacy practices or data protection rights concerns, contact the Information Commissioner's Office:  

Information Commissioner's Office 

Wycliffe House 

Water Lane 

Wilmslow 

Cheshire SK9 5AF  

0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745  

casework@ico.org.uk