This course is for managers, and anyone else, who needs or wants to ensure that their organisation is complying with key requirements on data protection and confidentiality.
Overview
Public, private and voluntary organisations are legally obliged to protect personal information that they hold. Public authorities are also obliged to provide public access to official information. The legislation on confidentiality, data protection, privacy and access to information can be confusing. In a number of high profile cases, major public sector bodies have misinterpreted data protection requirements and/or failed to share information; some of these failures have been considered to have contributed to major tragedies. At the same time, the Information Commissioner, who has national oversight of key legislation, has continued to raise major concerns about serious breaches of confidentiality, resulting from inadequate or inappropriate data control arrangements. Moreover most funders and contracts require compliance with data protection legislation.
As if things were not already challenging enough, this year (2010) the previous Government planned to introduce new arrangements with respect to criminal record checks and vetting and barring but the new Coalition Government put the extension of the new Scheme on hold. For voluntary organisations, including small organisations, it is important to: a) have a broad understanding of key issues; b) understand relevant legislation; c) consider the rights and interests of all parties; and d) know where to go for advice and support.
Objectives
- To assist participants to understand key requirements and issues in relation to data protection, confidentiality and sharing information.
- To assist organisations, especially voluntary and community organisations, to ensure that their policies and procedures comply with relevant requirements and good practice.
Topics Covered
- An overview of key legislation including the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and the impact of safeguarding legislation.
- The role of key agencies including the Information Commissioner.
- Understanding key legal responsibilities and rights under the Data Protection Act 1998.
- Update on the current position, and the Coalition Government’s plans, with respect to the previous Government’s Vetting and Barring Scheme.
- How to share information responsibly and lawfully.
- Sources of information, advice and support.
- How to review our current policies on data protection and confidentiality.
The ‘Small Print’
The course will run from 10am to 4:45pm (light cold buffet 1pm to 1:45pm). Please be careful to arrive by 9.45am for registration and refreshments. The course will start precisely on time and it may not be possible to go back over material missed by late arrivals. If you arrive over 30 minutes late you may be asked to leave and attend another day.
