Privacy Policy

Who we are

Safe Steps is a registered charity providing services to those individuals, and their children, whose lives have been affected by domestic abuse.

We are committed to ensuring that your personal details are kept safe. We do not sell on or pass your personal data to other companies.  However in cases where we are dealing with individuals as clients we may discuss the use of your data with you.

What information do we collect

We will ask you for the key personal information that we need in order to keep you, and any children that you have, safe.  This will include names, addresses, and date of birth for example.  You will be asked to consent to us using your data and this confirmation may be during a face to face interview or over the phone.

How do we use it?

We use your information to ensure that we can plan  the best outcome for your situation taking into account your safety.

In some cases if we have concerns about your safety or that of your children, we will have to share this information with other agencies such as Social Care.  We will endeavour to notify you of this action in such cases.

In some instances, we may work with other agencies and will always discuss with you beforehand, the need to share your information and acquiring your consent first. Again, we will endeavour to notify you of this action in such cases.

We never sell on or pass your personal data to other companies.

You can withdraw your consent for us to use your personal information at any time, however this may however affect our ability to communicate effectively with you about your support.

How long do we keep the data

We will keep your data for up to a period of six years, following your last engagement with us. If you wish to know what data we hold on you,  you should submit your request in writing to either your Domestic Abuse Support Practitioner or to the Data Controller (the Chief Executive) at the following address:

Safe Steps, 4 West Road, Westcliff, Essex SS0 9DA or email: enquiries@safesteps.org

How is data stored

All confidential data is stored electronically on our Client Database.  Access to this is controlled to named staff who have individual and approved passwords only. Strict policies are enforced around the access and use of data within Safe Steps.

Further information

If you have any clause for complaint or feel that your data has been used or shared inappropriately you should contact the Chief Executive (or Data controller) in the first instance.

enquiries@safesteps.org  or telephone 01702 868026

If appropriate, you will be sent a copy of our Complaints Policy.

Legal obligations

Safe Steps is a data controller for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1988 and the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 9Data Protection Law).  This means that we are responsible for the control  and the processing of your personal information.