Children - Young People Wishing to View Records or Files

The Data Protection Act 1998 gives everyone the right to access information that is held about them. There are some restrictions on what you can see, but this is limited by law to:

• information about other people which may be on your file.
• information which would cause you or others harm.
• information which would hinder the prevention or detection of crime, or the prosecution or apprehension of offenders,and other specifically restricted legal information.
• if a request for access is made by an agent, ie a solicitor, there may be a further limit if you have specifically said you do not want some information disclosed. If you wish to access your information you need to formally request this in writing.Your Social Worker or a person chosen by you can help you do this if you want them to.This request should be addressed to the Director of Social Services.The Department then has a responsibility to make arrangements for you to have access to your information,taking into account the points outlined above.

Requests to access information must be made in writing.   These will be acknowledged in writing within five days and you may be invited to attend a meeting with social care services to discuss your request and the procedure. The timescale for dealing with the request is 40 days. You will be kept informed of progress through periodic progress letters and you may be invited in to view the information with a social worker present, who can help to explain some of the information, which may be complex or difficult to understand.

Requests may be made by the individuals to whom the data relates, irrespective of age or any other criteria. A data subject can make a request through agents such as a solicitor or advice worker, although they may be asked for evidence that they are acting on behalf of the data subject. 

Helplines

Data Protection Act 1998 - Application for Subject Access - available from the above locations.

Legislation

Children Act 1989
Data Protection Act 1998

Websites

• Information Commissioner
• BMBC Social Services
• Data Protection Act 1998

Useful contacts

Jaqueline Taylor
Complaints Manager
Wellington House
36 Wellington Street
Barnsley
S70 1WA

Pat Stansfield
Senior Operations Manager
Children's Services
01226 772519

Monday to Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm.