Our Confidentiality & Data Protection policy and practice
Our staff work under a strict code of confidentiality and will hold your information in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and the University’s policies relating to Data Protection (UPR IM08) and Student Mental Health (UPR EQ07) and Equality and Diversity (UPR EQ03). Counsellors also work according to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s ‘Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions’.
Sharing Information
Where necessary we may need to consult with other colleagues in Student Wellbeing and Dean of Students office in order to provide a holistic framework of support for you. This information is on a need to know basis so that we can provide you with the support you need.
We do not normally divulge information about you to the wider University community or third parties without your express permission.
In very rare circumstances, we may need to disclose information to third parties without your express permission. This would only happen if there was a serious risk to your own or others’ safety or if we were compelled to disclose the information by law. In such circumstances we would, where possible, endeavour to discuss things with you before taking any action.
In the event of a serious and/or imminent risk of major harm, other members of the University may be informed or called upon to assist in managing the immediate situation. In these circumstances Student Wellbeing will, wherever possible, limit any disclosure to only information that is necessary in the circumstances.
In line with our professional requirements, and in order to work effectively, Student Wellbeing staff may discuss their work with a professional supervisor. The supervisor may be external to the department. All information shared in this way is treated in strict confidence and your personal identifiable information is not shared.
Storing Your Information
All Student Wellbeing records are kept securely on University servers in accordance with the GDPR, DPA and the University’s policies relating to Data Protection (UPR IM08) and Information Security (UPR IM03).
Information gathered will be used to collect anonymous statistical data. This data may be shared within the University for administrative and statistical purposes and will be supplied to Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the Office for Students both of which the University has a statutory duty to report to. The information provided will be completely anonymous and you will not be personally identifiable in the reports.
If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please feel free to discuss with us prior to or during an appointment. If you wish to withdraw your consent to Student Wellbeing using information as detailed above, please email: StudentWellbeing@herts.ac.uk