Privacy Policy

Fife Carers Centre is committed to protecting your personal information and being transparent about how we use it. This privacy notice outlines how we collect, use and store your data when you engage with us.

Who We Are
Fife Carers Centre is a registered charity supporting unpaid carers across Fife. We process personal data to deliver support services, provide information, and improve the wellbeing of carers and the people they care for.

The Information We Collect
We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

When someone is referred to us (Referral Activity):
About the Carer:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Address

  • Telephone number(s)

  • Email address

  • Ethnicity (special category data)

  • Health condition(s) (special category data)

  • Reason for referral

  • Consent (if available)

  • Name of person making the referral

About the Cared-for Person:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • Health condition(s) (special category data)

This information is gathered through our referral form, which may be completed by the carer, a health or social care professional, or a third party acting in the carer's interests.

How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:

  • Assess the carer’s needs and circumstances

  • Provide appropriate support and advice

  • Connect carers to relevant services and benefits

  • Understand the cared-for person's needs (where applicable) to better support the carer

Legal Basis for Processing Your Data
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), we must have a lawful basis for processing your personal data.

Our legal bases include:

1. Consent
Where possible, we will obtain your explicit consent to collect and process your personal and special category data.

2. Legitimate Interests
We may process your data where it is necessary for our legitimate interests as a charity, and where this does not override your rights or freedoms.

3. Vital Interests (particularly for referral activity)
We may process personal and special category data where it is necessary to protect the vital interests of the carer or the cared-for person—especially when they are physically or legally unable to give consent. This is in line with:

  • Article 6(1)(d) – processing is necessary to protect someone’s life or wellbeing

  • Article 9(2)(c) – processing special category data where the individual is incapable of giving consent

This ensures we can still provide essential support in urgent or complex situations.

Special Category Data
We may collect and process special category data (such as health information and ethnicity) when it is necessary for:

  • Providing direct support to carers and cared-for individuals

  • Monitoring equality, diversity and inclusion in our services

We ensure that such data is processed lawfully, securely, and only when relevant.

Sharing Your Data
We will never sell your information. We may share your data with:

  • Partner organisations providing carer support

  • Health or social care services involved in your support (with your consent or where necessary)

  • Our funders for reporting purposes (in anonymised form unless otherwise agreed)

Your Rights
You have rights under data protection law including:

  • The right to access your data

  • The right to correct inaccurate data

  • The right to request erasure

  • The right to object to or restrict processing

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us:
Email: centre@fifecarers.co.uk
Telephone: 01592 205472

How We Protect Your Data

We take your privacy seriously. Your data is stored securely and only accessible by staff who require it to carry out their duties. We apply appropriate technical and organisational measures to prevent unauthorised access, loss, or misuse.

Changes to This Policy
We keep our privacy notice under regular review. This version was last updated on 19 June 2025 to include new information about referral data and the lawful basis under Vital Interests.

Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002
Any requests for information should be made in writing (including by email) and must clearly state the information being requested, along with the name of the applicant and a contact address.

We will respond as soon as possible, and no later than 20 working days after receipt of the request. If clarification is needed, we will contact you.

Our response will either:

  • Confirm and provide the requested information, or

  • Explain why the information has not been provided, citing the appropriate exemption


How to Find Out More or Make a Complaint
We aim to make this Privacy Notice clear and informative. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Sandra Morris, Centre Manager
Email: centre@fifecarers.co.uk
Telephone: 01592 205472

You also have the right to raise a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office if you are unhappy with how we’ve handled your data.

Information Commissioner’s Office Contact Details:
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113