Privacy Policy

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Organisation name: Survivors Support
Email: enquiries@survivors-support.co.uk
Website: www.survivors-support.co.uk

At Survivors Support, your privacy and trust are central to our work.
We understand that seeking counselling or emotional support can be deeply personal, and we are committed to protecting your confidentiality and personal data at every stage.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information — whether you contact us online, by phone, or in person — in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Survivors Support provides confidential counselling and emotional support to survivors of sexual abuse and trauma.
We handle your personal information lawfully, fairly, and transparently.
Our legal basis for processing your data may include consent, contract, or legitimate interest, depending on the nature of your relationship with us.

We only collect the information we need to provide our services safely and effectively. This may include:

• Name, contact details (email, phone, address).
• Emergency contact information (optional).
• Basic demographic details such as age or gender (optional).

• Information about your wellbeing, experiences,  and  relevant background  in addition to this infomration that you choose to share.
• Counselling notes or records kept by your counsellor.

• Details shared through online forms, email, or encrypted messaging.
• Data processed during online counselling sessions (via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar).
  Online sessions are not recorded unless you give explicit written consent.
• Website analytics data (e.g., cookies, IP address) used to improve accessibility and service quality.

Your information is used to:

• Arrange and provide counselling sessions (in person or online).
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of sessions.
• Communicate about appointments, support, or service updates.
• Fulfil legal, professional, or safeguarding obligations.
• Improve the quality of our services.

We do not use your personal data for marketing without your explicit consent.

Everything you share in counselling is treated as strictly confidential.
However, under professional, ethical, and legal obligations, confidentiality may need to be broken in certain situations.
These include:

1. Serious Risk of Harm
   
   • If there is reason to believe you or someone else is at serious risk of harm.
   • If a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse or neglect.

1. Legal Requirements
   
   • Terrorism Act 2000: We are legally required to report any information that may relate to acts of terrorism.
   • Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: We must report any suspicions or disclosures related to money laundering or the handling of criminal proceeds.
   • Drug Trafficking Act 1994: We are required to disclose information that relates to drug trafficking or the production or supply of controlled substances.
   • Court Orders: If required by a court of law to disclose information.

Where possible, your counsellor will always seek to discuss any potential disclosure with you before taking action, unless doing so would increase the risk of harm or contravene legal obligations.

• All digital records are securely stored on encrypted, password-protected systems compliant with UK GDPR.
• Paper files, if used, are locked in secure cabinets.
• Online sessions are conducted via secure, encrypted platforms
• Access to records is restricted to authorised staff and counsellors only.
• We keep information for up to 7 years after your last contact with us, unless otherwise required by law or insurance purposes, after which it is securely destroyed.

We do not sell, trade, or share your information with third parties for marketing.
We may only share information if:

• You have given explicit written consent.
• It is required to prevent serious harm.
• It is required by law, under the Acts listed above.
• It is necessary for professional supervision, insurance, or auditing — in which case, all identifying details are removed and confidentiality is maintained.

You have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction of any inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your data (“the right to be forgotten”).
• Restrict or object to certain types of processing.
• Withdraw consent at any time.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact enquiries@survivors-support.co.uk.
We will respond to your request within one month.

When engaging in online sessions:

• Please ensure you are in a private, safe space free from interruption.
• Use a secure internet connection and, where possible, a personal device.
• Your counsellor will also ensure privacy and confidentiality from their side.
• No online session will be recorded without your explicit written consent.
• While all reasonable precautions are taken, please note that no digital communication can be 100% risk-free.

Our website may use cookies and analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use the site and to improve user experience.
Cookies do not personally identify you and can be disabled in your browser settings.

We retain personal data only as long as necessary:

• Counselling records: up to 7 years after your last session.
• Enquiries or administrative emails: deleted once no longer required.
• Website form submissions: removed regularly from our secure system.

After the retention period, your data is permanently deleted or securely destroyed.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in legislation or our service operations.
Any updates will be posted on our website, and the effective date at the top will be amended accordingly.

If you have any questions or concerns about how we handle your data, please contact:

Survivors Support
Email: enquiries@survivors-support.co.uk
Website: www.survivors-support.co.uk

If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO):
www.ico.org.uk | Telephone: 0303 123 1113