Connected Pathways
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Last updated: [ date ]
This policy explains how I collect, use and look after your personal information when you contact me, book a consultation, or work with me. I take your privacy seriously, especially because the information shared in therapy and consulting can be sensitive.
It applies to the Connected Pathways website and to my work as a systemic psychotherapist and education consultant.
I am Velma Bennett, trading as Connected Pathways, and I am the data controller responsible for your personal information.
I am registered with the Association for Family Therapy & Systemic Practice (AFT), membership number [ AFT number ], and I work within their code of ethics.
Payments are handled securely by my payment provider (Stripe). I receive a record that a payment was made, but I do not see or store your full card details.
This site keeps things minimal. It does not use third-party advertising or tracking cookies. [ If website analytics are added later, update this section. ]
Under UK data protection law I must have a lawful basis for using your information. In short:
| What for | Lawful basis |
|---|---|
| Replying to your enquiry and arranging a consultation | Your consent, and my legitimate interest in responding to you |
| Providing therapy or consulting you've asked for | Our agreement to work together (contract) |
| Handling health and other sensitive information in therapy | Your explicit consent, and provision of health or social care by a professional bound by confidentiality |
| Keeping payment and tax records | Legal obligation |
| Safeguarding where someone may be at risk of harm | Legal obligation and protecting someone's vital interests |
Some of what we discuss, particularly in therapy, is "special category" information such as health and wellbeing. I treat this with extra care, only collect what is genuinely needed for our work, and keep it confidential within the limits below.
What you share with me is confidential. There are a small number of situations where I may need to share information without your consent:
Wherever possible I will talk to you first. I'll explain confidentiality and its limits clearly when we start working together.
I do not sell your information or share it for marketing. I use a small number of trusted providers to run my practice, who process information on my behalf under appropriate agreements:
I also discuss my work in clinical supervision, which is a professional requirement that keeps my practice safe and ethical. I keep clients anonymous in supervision wherever possible. I may share information with safeguarding authorities, or my professional indemnity insurer, only where genuinely necessary and lawful.
I keep your information only for as long as I need it.
I store your information securely, limit access to it, and use reputable providers with their own security measures. Records are kept in [ describe briefly, e.g. password-protected, encrypted storage ].
You have the right to:
To exercise any of these, just contact me using the details above. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or on 0303 123 1113, though I'd hope you'd raise it with me first so I can put things right.
Where I work with children and young people, I do so with appropriate consent and with safeguarding in place. I hold an enhanced DBS check. [ Confirm DBS is current before launch. ]
I may update this policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it was last changed.
Connected Pathways