Privacy | Sian Welch

This Privacy Policy explains how I, Sian Welch of sianwelch.co.uk, use and protect any information that you give to me when you use this Service. The purpose of this statement is to let you know what personal information I collect and hold, why this data is collected, how long it is stored for and your rights over your personal data. Any personal data will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

I am committed to complying with the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and to the responsible and secure use of your data. I have a legitimate interest in processing personal data to provide counselling services. I, Sian Welch am registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), reference: ZA758739

For the purpose of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation 2018) (the Act), the data controller is Sian Welch, 4 Birkbeck Road, London, SW19 8NZ, UK.

By visiting my site, sianwelch.co.uk, you are accepting and consenting to the practices described in this policy. By continuing to use my site, you are agreeing to my use of cookies described below.

1. Information about you

I collect personal information from you when you enquire about the counselling services I offer and in order to set up an initial appointment. This information includes contact details, your availability and other relevant personal information. Once a client finishes counselling, all data regarding their counselling is stored securely for 7 years and then destroyed.

When you enquire about counselling I ask for contact details and relevant personal information from you that is needed to answer your enquiries and to keep you informed.

I may receive information about you from other sources, such as Google Analytics.

2. Use of this information

Your data will be used only to provide you with my services and to give you information relating to my services. I will not share your details with any other person or organisation without your knowledge and permission unless there is a safeguarding concern or legal requirement, as stated clearly in the counselling agreement.

A breach of confidentiality is when a person shares information with another in circumstances where it is reasonable to expect that the information will be kept confidential.

3. Security

I will take all reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of information you give me.

Communications in connection with this service may be sent by email. I use Protonmail, an email service designed to offer maximum security, and which offers end-to-end encryption.

It is important to remember though that no technology is infallible and breaches can happen, albeit rarely. Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although I will always do my best to protect your personal data, I cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted to my site; any transmission is at your own risk. Once I have received your information, I will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.

Similarly, whilst I endeavour to keep the systems and communications protected against viruses and other harmful effects, I cannot bear responsibility for all communications being virus-free.

4. Access to information

You can request access to the personal information that I hold about you. I will provide this except in the limited circumstances in which I am permitted not to.

You may request amendments to the personal information I hold about you that is inaccurate or out-of-date. If you request that I delete your personal information, I will do so unless I need to keep it for legal, auditing or internal business purposes.

5. Cookies

My site uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of my site. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that I store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer if you agree. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer’s hard drive. I use the following cookies:

Strictly necessary cookies are cookies that are required for the operation of my site.
Analytical/performance cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around my site when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way my site works, for example by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.
Functionality cookies are used to recognise you when you return to my site. This enables us to personalise my content for you and remember your preferences.

If you don’t want me to use cookies in your web browser, you can remove them from your computer or change your browser settings so that it either blocks cookies altogether or asks you if you’d like to accept them from some websites. Some of my cookies are essential for my site to work properly.

Please read this link for more information about cookies.

https://www.allaboutcookies.org/

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, visit this link:

http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

I may change this policy from time to time and I suggest that you regularly check this page to ensure that you continue to be comfortable with the measures that I am taking to protect your privacy. This policy was last updated on 26th April 2021.

Complaints, questions, comments and access requests are welcomed and should be addressed to Sian Welch, 4 Birkbeck Road, London, SW19 8NZ, UK or sianwelch1@protonmail.com