Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) privacy notice
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
8th Floor Rear
255-259 High Road
Ilford, Essex IG1 1NY
Tel: 0208 708 3890
Why we need your information and how we use it
Under the Children Act 1989 and 2004 we have a legal obligation to safeguard the welfare of children. In addition, under section 17 of the 1989 Children Act we have a duty to assess children in need and under section 47 of the 1989 Children Act we have a duty to investigate if a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. In order to safeguard children and young people and their families, we need their demographic information to create a record on our Information Communication Systems (ICS) Protocol system. Information gathered is used to safeguard children from harm. Furthermore, in order to carry out assessments for families presenting as homeless or in need of finance, the MASH will carry out credit checks using Experian.
What is the source of your personal data?
In most cases we will get 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 etc.)
Who your information may be shared with (internally and externally)
Internally
- Demographic information (name, gender, DOB, ethnicity, address etc.) about the child and their family
- Reason for referral
- Children & Families (Child Protection & Assessment Team, Education & Inclusion)
Externally
- Police
- Health
- Housing
- Probation
- Youth Offending service
- Education Welfare
- Schools
- Other Local Authorities who need to carry out checks for their MASH, child and family assessments and child protection enquiries.
How long we keep your information (retention period)
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 contact, referral and mash records are three years. However, further work is undertaken by social services such as an assessment or child protection enquiry this will be increased.
Marketing and E-Newsletters
Information collected is not used for marking or sending out e-newsletters but social workers would provide 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
Please see the relevant section of the Corporate Privacy Notice.
