Data Protection & Privacy

Essential guidance and frameworks for protecting personal data and ensuring privacy within the social care sector.

Social care professionals review documents, illustrating a guide on handling Subject Access Requests (SARs) in social care, covering legal frameworks, trauma-responsive practice, and operational best practices for children in care.

The Weight of the Record: A Professional’s Guide to Handling Subject Access Requests (SARs) in Social Care

```html A Subject Access Request (SAR) or Data Access Request (DAR) is a legally binding request under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 that allows individuals, including looked after children and care leavers, to obtain copies of their personal data. For social care professionals,...

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Image displaying 'FAQ SOCIAL SERVICES' in bold text, with the 'Looked After Child' logo featuring an adult and child, and contact information for lookedafterchild.com.

Understanding Social Work Assessments: Why Professionals May Consult Your Community

Social services departments have a statutory duty to conduct thorough assessments, which often includes speaking with neighbours to gain a holistic view of a child’s living environment. This practice is not an attempt to intrude on your private life, but a professional requirement to triangulate...

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An adult woman, a teenage boy, and an adult man interact with a tablet displaying a 'Digital Passport' interface, while an overlay promotes 'THE DIGITAL PASSPORT: A PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW,' covering data security and implementation for child care professionals.

The Digital Passport: A Professional Overview

```html As the Director of Looked After Child Limited, I have spent over seven years on the frontline—from NVQ Level 4 leadership to the daily realities of managing a residential home . I have seen the "paper trail" of a child's life fail them repeatedly during transitions . In 2026, we are...

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Professionals in a meeting discussing online safety, with a tablet displaying 'Online Safety Act 2023' and a large screen showing digital safeguarding icons. The image promotes an operational guide for care professionals on the Online Safety Act 2023, relevant for safeguarding children in care.

The Online Safety Act 2023: A 2026 Operational Guide for Care Professionals

What is the Online Safety Act 2023? The Online Safety Act 2023 is a comprehensive UK legislative framework, regulated by Ofcom, that legally compels tech companies, social media platforms, and search engines to protect users from illegal and harmful content. For those looking after...

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A smiling woman embraces a happy young girl, with a CCTV camera and a 'High-Trust Environment' sign visible in the background. Overlay text reads: 'CCTV IN CARE SETTINGS: A GUIDE TO RIGHTS, PRIVACY, AND 2026 BEST PRACTICES,' followed by bullet points: 'IS IT ALLOWED?', 'DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INSIDE AND OUTSIDE', 'MY RIGHTS', 'CAN I COMPLAIN?', and 'AND MORE'.

CCTV in Care Settings: A Guide to Rights, Privacy, and 2026 Best Practices

In the social care sector, the use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) is a sensitive topic that balances the need for safeguarding with the fundamental right to privacy. Whether you are a professional managing a home or a young person living in one, understanding the rules ensures that technology...

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A professional reviewing a resume, symbolizing the recruitment process, next to a graphic titled 'Safer Recruitment in Social Care: Building a Circle of Safety Around Our Children.' The graphic details key areas: What is Safer Recruitment, Why is it Needed, Policy, and Legislation & Regulations, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding children in care.

Safer Recruitment in Social Care: Building a Circle of Safety Around Our Children

As someone who has lived through the care system and now works to improve it, I know that "recruitment" isn't just a HR process—it is the first line of defense for a child’s safety. Whether it is a foster home, a residential unit, or a semi-independent placement for a young person finding their...

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Icon depicting an adult and child holding hands, cradled by a protective hand, symbolizing the trauma-informed support and care provided for children in care by Looked After Child Limited.

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