Easy Read Privacy Notice

Who we are

We are Worcester City Council.

We use personal information to provide services and meet our legal duties.

We are responsible for keeping your information safe.

What is personal information?

Personal information is information about you.

It can be information that:

• tells us who you are
• helps us contact you

For example:

• your name
• your address
• your phone number
• your email address

Some information is more private

Some information is very personal and needs extra care.

This can include information about your:

• health or disability
• race or ethnicity
• religion or beliefs
• sexual orientation
• political views
• trade union membership
• criminal history

We only use this information when the law allows us to.

Why we use your information

We use your information to:

• provide council services
• support you and assess your needs
• deal with questions or complaints
• manage our staff
• improve services
• plan for the future

When we are allowed to use your information

The law says we must have a good reason to use your information.

We may use your information if:

• you have given permission
• it is required by law
• it is needed to do our job as a council
• it is needed to keep someone safe
• it is needed for a contract or legal reason
• it is in the public interest

Giving or removing permission

If we ask for your permission, you can change your mind at any time.

To do this, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We only use what we need

We only collect the information we really need.

If we do not need personal information:

• we will not ask for it, or
• we will make your information anonymous if possible

For research or planning, we usually remove names and details.

Who we share your information with

Sometimes we share information with other organisations.

This is only when:

• it is needed to deliver a service
• the law says we must
• there is a serious safety concern

We make sure:

• there is a legal agreement
• your information is protected

Keeping you and others safe

We may share information without asking you if:

• someone is at risk of harm
• a child needs protection
• a serious crime may occur

We only do this when the risk is high.

How we keep your information safe

We work hard to keep your information secure.

This includes:

• locking systems with passwords
• hiding information when possible
• only letting trained staff see your data
• training staff in data protection
• regular security checks

Where your information is stored

Most information is stored in the UK.

Sometimes it may be stored outside the UK.

If this happens, we make sure it is kept safe by law.

How long we keep your information

We only keep your information for as long as we need it.

Sometimes the law says we must keep it for longer.

This depends on the type of service.

Your rights

You have rights about your information.

You can:

• ask to see your information
• ask us to correct mistakes
• ask us to delete information (in some cases)
• ask us to limit how we use it
• object to some uses of your information

We may not always be able to agree if the law says we must keep it.

Computer decisions

Sometimes computers help us make decisions.

You can:

• ask how decisions are made
• ask for a decision to be checked by a person
• object to profiling in some cases

We will tell you if this affects you.

Cyber security

We take cyber security seriously.

We follow national security standards to protect your data.

Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we use your information, contact:

Data Protection Officer

Email:        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone:       01905 722233

Postal Address:
Data Protection Officer
Worcester City Council
The Guildhall
High Street
Worcester
WR1 2EY

You can also complain to:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Website:     www.ico.org.uk
Phone:       0303 123 1113

Postal Address:
Information Commissioner's Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF