Housing Support Service
Who are we and what do we do
The Housing Support Service provide support in the community to assist those in need providing support with a wide range of activities to help people live independently.
This privacy notice provides specific information about how the Housing Support Service processes your personal data and is an addition to the information contained in our Corporate privacy notice.
What type of information is collected about you
We collect personal information to understand your needs and provide services. Information may include:
- name, address, date of birth
- gender
- financial details - incomings/outgoings and debts/arrears, DWP - benefit entitlements and checks
- previous housing history
- household composition
- national identifiers such as National Insurance Number
- right to remain/status
We may collect and hold the following special category (sensitive) data:
- race or ethnic origin
- disability
- sexual orientation
- religion or belief
- relationship status
- medical history - if you are being supported to apply for Personal Independent Payments
- criminal convictions and criminal history
How we collect information about you
We will collect information about you by referral forms and grant application forms.
Why we need your information
Our purpose for collecting your personal data is to assist you in accessing social housing or other support services and monitoring trends in our service and providing feedback to our partners and grant providers.
The lawful basis for our processing is:
- public task
- consent
- legitimate interests
The legislation the service is obliged to comply with includes:
- The Care Act 2014
- The Children Act 1989
- The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
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. Housing Support Services can share your information with:
- children or adult safeguarding services
- probation
- housing organisations such as Home Group, Places For People, Karbon Homes
- supported housing schemes
- care home providers
- professional carers
- emergency services such as hospital, police, ambulance, fire and rescue services
- support services such as drug and alcohol services, mental health services, community link workers
- organisations such as DWP or grant providers
- general practitioners or other medical professionals
- other housing support services
- community and support providers ie counselling services and community groups
- other teams within Gateshead Council
How long we will keep your information
We keep your information for as long as we need to provide the services to you. This will differ depending on the services you receive. We may also need to keep your information in accordance with legal or other obligations. Where we have no need to keep your data, it will be securely destroyed. We have Record of Processing Activity (a requirement under the GDPR) which sets out the specific retention periods applicable in different circumstances. For more information about this please contact the Supported Housing Manager at [email protected] or on 0191 433 4629.
Where your information is held
The data is held on a central recording system called NEC Housing.
How you can update your information
The accuracy of your information is important to us to be able to provide relevant services more quickly. If you change your address or email address, or if any of your circumstances change or any of the other information we hold is out of date, please contact [email protected] or telephone 0191 433 4629.
Your information rights
Please see the relevant section of our Corporate privacy notice.
Marketing and e-newsletters
Please see our Email marketing.
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. Visit their website (opens new window) to find out more about your rights under Data Protection law, and what to expect from us.
For privacy practices or data protection rights concerns, 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)