Qualifi Ltd is committed to the protection of all personal and sensitive data for which it holds responsibility as the Data Controller and the handling of such data in line with the data protection principles and the Data Protection Act (DPA). https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-the-general-data-protection-regulation-gdpr/key-definitions/
Changes to data protection legislation (GDPR May 2018) shall be monitored and implemented in order to remain compliant with all requirements.
The legal bases for processing data are as follows –
(a) Consent: the student/centre has given clear consent for Qualifi to process their personal data for a specific purpose.
(b) Contract: the processing is necessary for the centre contract or student placement contract.
(c) Legal obligation: the processing is necessary for Qualifi to comply with the law (not including contractual obligations)
The members of staff responsible for data protection are mainly Jason Goodyear (CEO) and Paula Baker-Parkin (Administrator). However all must treat all student and centre information in a confidential manner and follow the guidelines as set out in this document.
Qualifi is also committed to ensuring that its staff are aware of data protection policies, legal requirements and adequate training is provided to them.
The requirements of this policy are mandatory for all staff employed by the Qualifi and any third party contracted to provide services within the awarding organisation.
Our data processing activities will be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as required of a recognised Data Controller. Details are available from the ICO: https://ico.org.uk/about-the-ico/what-we-do/register-of-data-controllers/
Changes to the type of data processing activities being undertaken shall be notified to the ICO and details amended in the register.
Breaches of personal or sensitive data shall be notified within 72 hours to the individual(s) concerned and the ICO.
All data within Qualifi’s control shall be identified as personal, sensitive or both to ensure that it is handled in compliance with legal requirements and access to it does not breach the rights of the individuals to whom it relates.
The definitions of personal and sensitive data shall be as those published by the ICO for guidance: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/keydefinitions/
The principles of the Data Protection Act shall be applied to all data processed:
In order to assure the protection of all data being processed and inform decisions on processing activities, we shall undertake an assessment of the associated risks of proposed processing and equally the impact on an individual’s privacy in holding data related to them.
Risk and impact assessments shall be conducted in accordance with guidance given by the ICO:
Security of data shall be achieved through the implementation of proportionate physical and technical measures. Nominated staff shall be responsible for the effectiveness of the controls implemented and reporting of their performance.
The security arrangements of any organisation with which data is shared shall also be considered and where required these organisations shall provide evidence of the competence in the security of shared data.
All individuals whose data is held by us, has a legal right to request access to such data or information about what is held. We shall respond to such requests within one month and they should be made in writing. No charge will be applied to process the request.
Personal data about students will not be disclosed to third parties without the consent of the student , unless it is obliged by law.
Hard copy data, records, and personal information are stored out of sight and in a locked cupboard. Sensitive or personal information and data should not be removed from the Qualifi site, however Qualifi acknowledges that some staff may need to transport data between the office and their home in order to access it for work in the evenings and at weekends. This may also apply in cases where staff have offsite meetings, or are on centre visits .
The following guidelines are in place for staff in order to reduce the risk of personal data being compromised:
These guidelines are clearly communicated to all Qualifi staff, and any person who is found to be intentionally breaching this conduct will be disciplined in line with the seriousness of their misconduct.
Qualifi recognises that the secure disposal of redundant data is an integral element to compliance with legal requirements and an area of increased risk.
All data held in any form of media (paper, tape, electronic) shall only be passed to a disposal partner with demonstrable competence in providing secure disposal services.
All data shall be destroyed or eradicated to agreed levels meeting recognised national standards, with confirmation at completion of the disposal process. Disposal of IT assets holding data shall be in compliance with ICO guidance: https://ico.org.uk/media/fororganisations/documents/1570/it_asset_disposal_for_organisations.pdf