Integrated Adults and Social Care Services (IASCS) - Technology Enabled Care (TEC) Privacy Notice
Who are we and what do we do
Integrated Adults and Social Care Services (IASCS) is part of Gateshead Council. We are based at the Civic Centre and deliver care and support to residents across Gateshead. As part of our commitment to innovation and person-centred care, we embed Technology Enabled Care (TEC) solutions—including assistive technologies and digital platforms—into our service delivery.
TEC refers to the use of digital tools, smart devices, and assistive technologies to support individuals in living independently, safely, and with dignity. Examples include:
- telecare and telehealth systems
- digital alarms and sensors
- remote monitoring platforms
- smart home technologies
- ai-enabled tools
These technologies are used to promote self-care, enable early intervention, and reduce reliance on traditional care services.
This privacy notice provides specific information about how IASCS processes your personal data in relation to using TEC and is an addition to the information contained in our Care Call privacy notice and Corporate privacy notice..
What type of information is collected about you
To deliver TEC services, we may collect and process:
- basic personal details (name, address, date of birth, NHS number)
- contact details for members of your family and support network
We may also collect 'special category data' (personal data which is more sensitive and is treated with extra care and protection as defined in UK GDPR), where necessary, including:
- health and wellbeing data (medical conditions, mental health, sensory needs)
- ethnicity
- sexual orientation
- social care assessments and care plans
- communication preferences and accessibility needs
- data from TEC devices (e.g. alerts, usage patterns, sensor data)
- information from other professionals involved in your care
We will only collect the data listed above that is applicable to the type of care and support that we will be providing you with. This may include, for example, housing type and set up, mobility, disability and/or health condition, for example a hearing impairment, type of care required.
How we collect information about you
We collect information through:
- direct interactions (face-to-face, telephone, email)
- TEC devices and digital platforms
- referrals from health and care professionals
- integrated systems such as the Great North Care Record
- partner organisations in health, housing, and social care
Why we need your information
We use your data to:
- fully understand your care needs
- deliver personalised TEC solutions that meet your needs
- monitor and respond to risks in real-time
- support proactive and preventative care
- improve service quality and efficiency
- enable joint working across health, care, and housing sectors
- evaluate and improve TEC programmes through data-led insights
Our lawful basis for processing the data collected is:
- Legal Obligation to which the data controller is subject (under Article 6(1)(c) of the UK GDPR)
- processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller (under Article 6(1)(e) of the UK GDPR)
Our lawful basis for processing sensitive personal data collected is:
- processing is necessary for the provision of health or social care or treatment or the management of health or social care systems andservices (under Article 9(2)(h) of the UK GDPR)
- processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest (safeguarding) (under Article (9)(2)(g))
Relevant legislation includes:
- Care Act 2014
- Health and Social Care Act 2012
- Mental Health Act 1983
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Who your information can be shared with
Our Corporate Privacy notice sets out the general types of information sharing that the Council carries out to fulfil statutory obligations, legal requirements and service delivery. IASCS may share your information with:
- health professionals, for example GPs, NHS services
- TEC providers and monitoring centres
- housing partners and emergency responders
- other departments within Gateshead Council
- regulatory bodies such as the CQC
All sharing is done securely and in line with data protection legislation.
Our lawful basis for this sharing is as noted above and your consent is not required.
If we wish to share your information with other council services or third parties for purposes outside of those listed above, we will ask for your permission.
How long we will keep your information
After we deliver a service to you, we must keep your information as a business record of what was delivered. The type of service you receive will determine how long we must keep your information. Our corporate retention guidelines show how long we keep information for different services. Your records will be retained in accordance with Gateshead Council's records retention schedule for Adult Services.
How do we keep your information secure?
The security of your personal information is important to us. The records we keep about you are secure and confidential within the Council. The Council has a range of procedures, polices and systems to ensure that access to your records are controlled appropriately. Anyone who receives information from us is also under a legal duty to only use the information for the purposes agreed and keep the information secure and confidential.
Where your information is held
We ensure that all TEC-related data is:
- stored securely using encrypted systems
- accessed only by authorised personnel
Your information rights
Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.
Business intelligence, profiling and automated-decision making
Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.
Protecting your information
Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.
Data Protection Officer
Data Protection Officer
Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH
0191 433 3000
Information Commissioner's Office
The Information Commissioner is the UK's independent body for upholding information rights.
If you would like to know more about your rights under the Data Protection law, and what you should expect from us, visit Information Commissioner's Office (opens new window).
If you have any concerns regarding our privacy practices or about exercising your Data Protection rights, you may contact the Information Commissioner's Office:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
0303 123 1113 or 01625 545 745
ICO - Make a complaint (opens new window)