Privacy notices - Fostering and Adoption

In order for us to meet our statutory and legislative requirements under the Children’s (Scotland) Act 1995, the Children and Young Person’s (Scotland) Act 2014, Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007, Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, Guidance on Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, National Standards – Family Placement, The Children (Scotland) Act, 1995

In order for us to meet our statutory and legislative requirements under the Children’s (Scotland) Act 1995, the Children and Young Person’s (Scotland) Act 2014, Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007, Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, Guidance on Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009, National Standards – Family Placement, The Children (Scotland) Act, 1995

We gather personal information in order to assess suitability of applicants to be approved by the Agency to be foster carers or prospective adoptive parents.

We may share this information with relevant statutory and partner agencies with your consent.  

In general, information will normally only be shared with the consent of the applicant.

However where there is a risk of significant harm consent would not be sought and relevant information would be shared with other individuals or agencies as appropriate.

It is not necessary to seek consent when there is legislative requirement to share information; for example when making a referral to the Children's Reporter, or the prevention and detection of crime.

We gather personal information in order to assess suitability of applicants to be approved by the Agency to be foster carers or prospective adoptive parents.

We may share this information with relevant statutory and partner agencies with your consent.  

In general, information will normally only be shared with the consent of the applicant.

However where there is a risk of significant harm consent would not be sought and relevant information would be shared with other individuals or agencies as appropriate.

It is not necessary to seek consent when there is legislative requirement to share information; for example when making a referral to the Children's Reporter, or the prevention and detection of crime.

We will not be able to provide a service to you if we do not have the relevant information that is needed.

We require this information to identify and provide an appropriate service.

We may share this information with relevant statutory and partner agencies with your consent.

The length of time that records are kept is generally stipulated in legislation.  Personal data is kept securely in a number of formats, for example electronically and in paper records. There are strict regulations and guidance in relation to the retention of records. For example the information you share when you enquire about fostering or adoption is kept for 1 year, if you progress your enquiry and attend at a preparation group your records are kept for 10 years, both the adoptive parents and the child’s adoption records are held in the Archive for 100 years from the date of an adoption being granted and approved Foster Carer’s records are kept for 35 years from the date of resignation.

Information is held in compliance with the Highland Council’s retention schedules and further details can be sought by contacting the service by emailing foster@highland.gov.uk.

The data controller is the Highland Council.

Data Protection Officer
Highland Council Headquarters
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
01463 702029   

dpo@highland.gov.uk

If you are unhappy with the way we have processed your personal information you can contact the Information Commissioner:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/