Privacy Policy

Because the data we hold about you is your data, you have the following rights in respect of the personal data we hold about you:

1. To support the human rights of the Service User and ensure that Senacare Ltd complies with legislation and regulation in relation to the privacy of individuals.
2. This policy covers the day-to-day considerations of ensuring privacy whilst supporting Service Users. This policy should be read in conjunction with the suite of associated policies and procedures at Senacare Ltd such as UK GDPR in relation to data protection information sharing.
3. To support Senacare Ltd in meeting the following Key Lines of Enquiry:

Key Question	Key Lines of Enquiry
CARING	C1: How does the service ensure that people are treated with kindness, respect and compassion, and that they are given emotional support when needed?
CARING	C3: How are people's privacy, dignity and independence respected and promoted?
RESPONSIVE	R1: How do people receive personalised care that is responsive to their needs?
SAFE	S1: How do systems, processes and practices keep people safe and safeguarded from abuse?
WELL-LED	W1: Is there a clear vision and credible strategy to deliver high-quality care and support, and promote a positive culture that is person-centred, open, inclusive and empowering, which achieves good outcomes for people?

1.4 To meet the legal requirements of the regulated activities that {Senacare Ltd} is registered to provide:

The Care Act 2014

Equality Act 2010

The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

Human Rights Act 1998

Mental Capacity Act 2005

Data Protection Act 2018

UK GDPR

2. Scope

2.1 The following roles may be affected by this policy:

All staff

2.2 The following Service Users may be affected by this policy:

Service Users

2.3 The following stakeholders may be affected by this policy:

Family

External health professionals

Local Authority

NHS

3. Objectives

3.1 To reinforce the requirement, in accordance with professional codes of conduct, to ensure that privacy is maintained as per the Service User's wishes.

3.2 To provide clarity and standard practice recommendations to staff at Senacare Ltd to ensure that Service Users have dignity and privacy when they need and want it. This policy is fully aligned with:

Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

Regulation 10: Dignity and Respect

3.3 To ensure that Service Users', employees' and stakeholders' personal data and information is treated with the same level of protection around privacy.

4. Policy

4.1 Senacare Ltd recognises the right of Service Users to be left alone, undisturbed and free from intrusion and public attention. The Service User also has a right to privacy with regard to their personal affairs, data and their belongings.

4.2 Staff will adhere to the human rights of individuals and work in accordance with professional codes of conduct, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) guidance, UK GDPR and Data Protection Policies and Procedures at Senacare Ltd. Intentional breaches of privacy will be fully investigated with appropriate bodies informed and lessons learnt.

5. Procedure

5.1 Care Planning at the Start of a Service

The needs of the Service User regarding privacy will always be considered during the care planning stage to ensure that Senacare Ltd can effectively meet the person's needs

This assessment will include what information about them can be shared and with whom. This includes the Service User providing formal consent to share information. Where capacity is an issue, the principles of the Mental Capacity Act and associated best interest guidance will be followed

Preferred Service User wishes must be communicated to other relevant staff at Senacare Ltd

Where possible, the care planning process will be completed in a private area where the Service User can feel able to discuss areas of their care needs. This is particularly relevant if an assessment is taking place in a hospital or respite setting prior to discharge home

5.2 Service User Rights

Service User choices in relation to privacy will be respected at all times and all information relating to them will be treated in a confidential manner

Senacare Ltd recognises the right of Service Users to be left alone, undisturbed and free from intrusion and public attention. The Service User also has a right to privacy with regard to personal data and both personal affairs and belongings

5.3 Staff Expectation, Behaviour and Professionalism

Staff will follow professional codes of conduct as well as operational policies and procedures at Senacare Ltd when considering privacy for Service Users. This includes all staff expectations around professionalism of communication

Staff will only discuss Service Users in the work environment if it is for the purpose of assessment, management and evaluation of care

Staff will not discuss any aspect of the Service User's care outside of the work environment

5.4 Records Management

Records will be designed, used and stored in a manner which assures privacy

Records will only be made available to the Service User’s family and main Care Worker according to the wishes of the Service User or if information requests fulfil the legal requirements for doing so

Staff can refer to AB19 - Record Keeping Policy and Procedure for further information and guidance

Information sharing with appropriate health professionals will be done in line with UK GDPR and Data Protection Policies and Procedures at Senacare Ltd

5.5 Personal Care and Privacy

Particular attention will be given to preserving privacy in the use of bathrooms, toilets and when supporting any aspect of personal care. At the same time, health and safety and personal risk management will be considered and discussed

Staff will ensure that curtains/blinds are closed in order to ensure privacy during personal care and moving and handling

Any personal and sensitive items that may be deemed necessary care equipment (such as continence aids, catheters, dressings) will be kept out of view at all times to ensure that privacy is maintained

Staff will always knock on the Service User's door and await a response before entering the room. Privacy will be respected around the Service User's home at all times

5.6 Photography and Filming

Staff can refer to the policies available with regard to privacy, photography, filming and the use of CCTV at Senacare Ltd and to relevant CQC guidance.

5.7 Breach in Privacy

Any breach in the privacy of a Service User will be considered a serious event. The incident will be fully investigated in accordance with UK GDPR, Data Protection Policies and Procedures at Senacare Ltd and there will be evidence available about what has been learnt to ensure that the risk of reoccurrence is reduced. Disciplinary action will be taken where the incident is considered to have been caused with intent

Any environmental or equipment fault which reduces the privacy of any Service User must be reported to the Registered Manager or senior member of staff

Breaches of privacy of a serious nature will be referred to the local Safeguarding Board and appropriate regulatory body notifications will be completed by or delegated other, who has the relevant skills, knowledge and experience

5.8 Training and Education

Privacy forms part of the Care Certificate for care workers. New staff who have not already completed this will be expected to achieve this unit

Staff will be expected to review their professional code of conduct and be aware of what this means in practice

Training will be given with regard to UK GDPR and Data Security and Protection

Privacy will form part of the supervision process agenda at Senacare Ltd as well as at staff and Service User meetings in order to review practice, seek feedback and determine quality assurance

5.9 Capacity and Privacy

The same rights of privacy apply to individuals who are proven to lack capacity, therefore staff must do the following:

Establish any previously expressed views or wishes of the individual regarding privacy from family and others

Observe Service User behaviours to identify what the preferences may be for that individual wishing to have privacy

Continue to follow the core principles and practices as detailed within this policy, if deemed to be in the best interests of the Service User to do so (in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act) when weighing up privacy. Refer to associated policies and procedures for further guidance

6. Definitions

6.1 Information Commissioner's Office

The ICO is the UK's independent body set up to uphold information rights in the public interest

This covers the following legislation:

Data Protection Act

Freedom of Information Act

Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations

General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

Environmental Information Regulations

INSPIRE Regulations

eIDAS Regulation

Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations

NIS Regulations

Investigatory Powers Act

6.2 Human Rights

These basic rights are based on values like dignity, fairness, equality, respect and independence. But human rights are not just abstract concepts, they are defined and protected by law. In Britain our human rights are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death. They apply regardless of where you are from, what you believe or how you choose to live your life. They can never be taken away, although they can sometimes be restricted; for example, if a person breaks the law, or in the interests of national security

6.3 Privacy

In literal terms, privacy is defined as a state in which one is not observed or disturbed by other people, or the state of being free from public attention

For the purposes of health and social care, privacy is very personal and means different things to different people. Therefore in order to respect people, privacy services need to be personalised as much as possible

6.4 Care Certificate

The Care Certificate identifies a set of standards that social care and health workers follow. It describes the minimum standards that should be covered as part of the induction training of new care workers

Key Facts - Professionals

Professionals providing this service should be aware of the following:

Any breach of a person's privacy is a serious event and will be fully investigated to ensure there is a period of learning, reflection and change in practice

The environment where Service Users are supported needs to accommodate the ability to promote privacy

Your professional codes of conduct refer to your accountability in relation to supporting people with maintaining privacy

It is a fundamental right for everyone to have privacy and as professionals, your role is to promote and adhere to this right

Key Facts - People affected by the service

People affected by this service should be aware of the following:

Information about you will only be shared with your permission, or if you are unable to give permission, when it is deemed to be in your best interest to do so

You have full rights to privacy. Staff will discuss what your wishes are around this and what that means for you

Staff supporting you will respect your privacy wishes and support you in providing environments that are private

If you would like to exercise any of the above rights, please contact Mr.Samson Winslow, Managing Director, in writing: samson@senacare.co.uk   or Senacare Ltd, 11 Kingsley Road, Hounslow TW3 1PA, UK, HA2

Right to Complain

If you have any concerns about our handling of your personal data, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (“ICO”) by visiting https://ico.org.uk/concerns/ or by telephoning the ICO helpline on 0303 123 1113.

Cookies Policy

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