Family Group Conference privacy notice

The data controller for your data

Brighton & Hove City Council is the data controller for purposes of the Data Protection Act (2018) and The General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") and is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under registration number Z5840053.

Brighton & Hove City Council are committed to protecting your personal information. As a data controller, we have a responsibility to make sure you know why and how your personal information is being collected in accordance with relevant data protection law. 

Why we're collecting your data 

We are collecting the data for the purpose of enabling access to the Family Group Conference Service. The purpose of the Family Group Conference is to create a Family Action Plan.  

The lawful basis for doing so is Performance of a task carried out in the public interest under the Children Act 1989. 

We are also collecting special category (sensitive) data in order to provide appropriate support throughout the Family Group Conference process and for the welfare of the families and workers involved.  

The lawful basis for processing this special category data is primarily that it is necessary in order to meet substantial public interests. Specifically, we are referring here to the substantial public interests of safeguarding and statutory/government purposes set out in Schedule 1, Part 2, Para 6 and 18 of the Data Protection Act 2018. 

Whilst you can withdraw from the Family Group Conference process at any time, a record of your involvement and of your withdrawal will be retained for a period in accordance with Brighton & Hove City Council’s records retention schedule. 

Who we’ll share your data with

In order to provide this service, your data will be shared with:   

• A Family Group Conference Coordinator, so that they are able to prepare and arrange a Family Group Conference for you.
• The child(ren)’s Social Worker, and any individuals who attended and/or were invited but unable to attend the Family Group Conference.  

Your information will not be shared with any other third party unless this is necessary. Data sharing with the following people and/or organisations may be necessary:  

• Your wider family network and friends who you wish to invite to the Family Group Conference
• Advocacy Services
• Schools
• Health Visitors
• Mental Health Services
• Other support services/resources which are working with your family
• Other services in Brighton and Hove City Council 

Please note that if at any stage, safeguarding concerns are raised regarding the child(ren) involved, the Family Group Conference service will be under a duty set out in the Children Act 1989 to share this information with a social worker. 

We will hold your data securely on the Family Group Conference database for a maximum of 7 years from the date when the referral was accepted by the Family Group Conference Service. The Family Group Conference referral form and Family Action Plans will also be held securely on the social care database.