Children's Services privacy notice

Last updated: November 2025

What this notice is about 

This notice explains how Islington Council collects, uses, and protects personal information when delivering services to children, young people, and their families. It applies to services provided by our Children’s Services department, including support for children in care, child protection, disability services, and family support.  

You should also read our main privacy notice for more information about your rights and how to contact us.  

What information we collect and use 

We may collect and use the following information about you or your children: 

Basic personal details 

• Full name 
• Date of birth
• Gender 
• Address and postcode 
• Contact details (phone number, email) 
• National Insurance number 
• NHS number 
• Unique pupil number (if applicable) 

Family and household information 

• Names and details of parents, carers, or guardians 
• Details of siblings and other household members 
• Next of kin and emergency contacts 
• Relationship status of parents/carers 
• Accommodation status (e.g. housing type, stability) 

Health and wellbeing 

• Physical and mental health conditions 
• Disabilities or special educational needs (SEN) 
• Medication and treatment history 
• GP and healthcare provider details 
• Pregnancy status (for unborn children in safeguarding cases) 

Education and development 

• School or early years setting attended 
• Attendance records 
• Attainment and progress data 
• Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) details 
• Exclusion history 
• Preferred learning style or support needs 

Social care and safeguarding 

• Social worker involvement 
• Child protection status (e.g. Child Protection Plan, Looked After Child) 
• Early Help or Family Support involvement 
• History of referrals and assessments 
• Case notes and chronology 
• Risk indicators (e.g. domestic abuse, neglect, exploitation) 

Demographic and equality monitoring 

• Ethnicity 
• Nationality 
• Language spoken at home 
• Religion or belief 
• Sexual orientation (where relevant and appropriate) 
• Gender identity 
• Immigration or asylum status 

Financial and support needs 

• Household income and benefits status 
• Free school meals eligibility 
• Support received (e.g. food vouchers, housing support) 

Legal and criminal justice 

• Youth offending history 
• Court orders or legal proceedings 
• Police involvement 
• Parental responsibility status 

Where we get your information from 

We get information directly from you and your family, and from other organisations involved in your care or support, such as: 

• schools 
• healthcare providers (e.g. GPs, health visitors, CAMHS) 
• other local authorities (if your family moves or receives services across boroughs) 
• Police and safeguarding partners 

How we use your information

We use your information to: 

• provide services and support to children and families
• keep children safe and look after their wellbeing
• meet our legal and statutory duties and responsibilities
• comply with relevant laws and contracts 

Our legal reasons for using your data 

Under UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA 2025) we use your data because: 

• we are doing something in the public interest or as part of our official duties 
• it’s our legal obligation (the law says we must)
• it helps us protect children and vulnerable individuals (vital interests) 

Laws that apply to our services 

We rely on a range of laws when delivering Children’s Services. These include: 

• Children Act 1989 and 2004 
• Children and Social Work Act 2017 
• Children and Families Act 2014 
• Childcare Act 2006 
• Adoption and Children Act 2002 
• Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 
• Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 
• Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 
• Equality Act 2010 
• Education Acts 1996, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008
• Crime and Disorder Act 1998
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 
• Mental Health Act 1983 
• NHS Act 2006 and Health Act 1999 
• Immigration and Asylum Acts 1999 and 2002 
• Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 
• Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR 
• Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 

Who we share your information with 

We may share your information with: 

• commissioned partners 
• NHS organisations 
• other councils and local authorities 
• police and safeguarding agencies 

Sometimes the law requires us to share your data, and in those cases, we do not need your consent. 

How we store your data 

Your information is stored securely on council servers and in our case management systems. Only authorised staff can access it.

To find out how long we keep your information, see our retention schedule.   

Your rights 

You have rights over your personal data. For more details see our main privacy notice and our page about your individual rights.  

Complaints 

If you are unhappy with how we use your data, please see the council’s main privacy notice to find out how to make a complaint.