Privacy Policy
Family Support Scotland
Privacy Policy
Last updated: 04/12/2025
Family Support Scotland (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. We understand that families often come to us during difficult times, and we take our responsibility to protect your information seriously.
This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how it is used and stored, who can access it, your rights under UK GDPR, and how to contact us with any concerns.
1. Who We Are
Family Support Scotland provides informal advocacy, information, and emotional support to children, young people, parents, and carers. We are not a legal service and do not provide counselling or emergency assistance.
Contact email:
info@familysupportscotland.co.uk
2. What Information We Collect
We only collect information you choose to share with us.
This may include:
Basic contact information
Name or nickname
Email address
Preferred method of contact
Support information
Details of your situation
Concerns or questions you share
Documents you upload (redacted where possible)
Website or Members Area information
Username or nickname
Form submissions
Messages sent to our team
Page activity for security purposes
Technical information (automatic)
IP address (security and spam protection)
Device and browser type (standard analytics)
We do not use advertising or marketing tracking cookies.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
Provide support and respond to enquiries
Help you understand your rights
Prepare information or draft emails where requested
Maintain secure support records
Improve our service
Meet safeguarding responsibilities
We never sell or share your information for marketing purposes.
4. Safeguarding
If we believe a child, young person, or adult is at risk of harm, we may need to share information with appropriate services such as Social Work, Police, or the NHS. This is a legal and ethical duty.
Where possible, we will explain this to you unless doing so would increase risk.
We only share information that is necessary, with the appropriate agency, and solely for safety reasons.
5. Who Can Access Your Information
Access is strictly limited to:
Family Support Scotland volunteers
The Safeguarding Lead
Administrators managing our systems
All staff and volunteers receive training in GDPR, confidentiality, and safeguarding.
We do not share information with schools, social work, NHS services, CAMHS, legal services, or third parties unless required for safeguarding or legal reasons.
6. How We Store Your Information
Information is stored securely using:
Password-protected systems
Encrypted platforms
Access controls
Secure email providers
We do not store data on personal devices. Information is retained only as long as necessary for support, safeguarding, or legal obligations.
7. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the right to:
Access your information
Request corrections
Request deletion (unless safeguarding obligations apply)
Ask how your data is used
Withdraw consent for contact
Object to certain processing
To make a request, email:
info@familysupportscotland.co.uk
We will respond within 30 days.
8. Communications
We only contact you when:
You request support
You submit a form
You ask for follow-up contact
There is important information relating to your safety or support
We do not send marketing communications.
9. Children and Young People
Children and young people may access our service. We use minimal data collection, allow nicknames where preferred, and operate on safeguarding-first principles to protect privacy and safety.
10. Members Area Privacy
If you join our Members Area, we may collect:
Username or nickname
Questions submitted
Private support requests
Resource downloads
Other members cannot see your personal information. Group chats are not stored long-term, and only minimal notes required for support or safeguarding are retained.
11. What We Do Not Do
We do not:
Sell personal data
Share information without safeguarding or legal reasons
Allow access by outside agencies unless legally required
Use personal data for advertising
Allow members to view each other’s personal details
12. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about privacy or data protection, contact:
info@familysupportscotland.co.uk
We are here to help.