Laura Sharman 05 February 2014

Improve data security for vulnerable children, councils told

Sensitive information about vulnerable children is at risk due to 'insecure' links between fostering agencies and councils, a report claims.

Appropriate staff training relating to the management of personal information is lacking, while sensitive data on mobile devices such as laptops and memory sticks often remains unencrypted – the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has found.

Two councils were issued with monetary penalties totalling £150,000 last year after their social services departments lost sensitive data relating to the care of young people.

The ICO said that while breaches of the Data Protection Act could lead to penalties of up to £500,000, the human cost of misplaced sensitive information could be far higher.

Fostering and adoption agencies handle significant amounts of personal data about vulnerable children and are required to share this information with organisations such as councils.

ICO group manager in the Good Practice team, John-Pierre Lamb, said: ‘The work fostering and adoption agencies carry out is vital to helping some of the most vulnerable young people in society. Keeping their sensitive personal information secure must be recognised as an important part of this process and agencies must have the necessary safeguards in place to keep this information safe whether it’s in the office, at home or on the road.’

‘Agencies and the councils they work with should see this report as a wake-up call and take action before it’s too late.’

Chief executive of the Nationwide Association of Fostering Providers, Harvey Gallagher, said: ‘There's clearly much more we could be doing to ensure that information about children and carers is handled securely.

‘The ICO found some good practice with regard to the internal controls put in place by agencies. But the significant challenge is at the interface between local authorities and independent providers where local services are under significant pressure.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Adult Social Worker Mental Health

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Mental Health Social Worker
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Director of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer)

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council
up to salary max £121,445 per annum
We are now seeking a Director of Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer to play a pivotal role Hybrid / Kingston Upon Thames
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council

Principal Engineer - Adoptions

West Northamptonshire Council
£49,587 - £52,860
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Principal Highways Engineer to join our Highways Development Management team at West Northamptonshire Council. This is a senior role leading on the assessment, negotiation, and delivery of highway works linked t Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Highway Operations

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 15 £63,002 - £69,103 per annum
As we begin to implement our new structure, we have an exciting leadership opportunity as the head of our new operations service. Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council

Trainee Roadworker Driver

Derbyshire County Council
Grade 5 £25,185 - £25,583 per annum
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking all aspects of highways maintenance and improvement works Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner