Internet Privacy Policy

Last updated: 21st August 2025

ABC Fostering respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and share personal data when you visit our website or work with us as a foster carer, child, or professional partner.

1. Who We Are

ABC Fostering is an Independent Fostering Agency providing fostering services across North West. We are the “data controller” for personal information we process under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.

Our contact details:

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal data:

• Foster carers & applicants: contact details, family information, employment, financial details, references, health, and training records.
• Children & young people: personal details, care plans, education, health, and support needs (provided to us by local authorities).
• Website visitors: basic usage information (IP address, browser type, and cookies).
• Professionals: name, role, contact details.

We only collect the information necessary to provide fostering services and meet our legal and safeguarding duties.

3. How We Use Your Information

• Deliver fostering services and provide safe placements for children.
• Recruit, assess and support foster carers.
• Meet legal and regulatory requirements (Ofsted, safeguarding, tax).
• Communicate with carers, children, professionals, and local authorities.
• Improve our website and services.

4. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following legal bases:

• Legal obligation: to comply with fostering regulations, safeguarding, and Ofsted requirements.
• Contract: to manage foster carer agreements.
• Consent: where we rely on permission (e.g. using photos for marketing).
• Legitimate interest: for running and improving our services.

5. How We Store and Protect Data

• Information is stored securely, with appropriate technical and organisational safeguards.
• Access is restricted to staff who need it for their role.
• Paper records are kept locked; digital records are encrypted and password-protected.
• We do not keep personal data longer than necessary (in line with fostering regulations and statutory retention schedules).

6. Sharing Your Information

We only share data when necessary and lawful. This may include:

• Local authorities (to arrange and support placements).
• Ofsted (regulation and inspection).
• Other professionals (schools, health, therapeutic services).
• HMRC and payroll providers (for carer payments).

We never sell personal information to third parties.

7. Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have the right to:

• Access the information we hold about you.
• Ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
• Request deletion of your data (where legally possible).
• Restrict or object to processing in certain circumstances.
• Data portability (receive your information in a reusable format).

To exercise your rights, contact us at enquiries@abcfostering.co.uk

8. Cookies & Website Use

Our website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience. You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Cookies do not collect personal identifying information.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we use your data, please contact:

Data Protection Lead
ABC Fostering
Email: enquiries@abcfostering.co.uk
Phone: 0161 606 9885

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.