Get Britain Working Trailblazers Evaluation: Privacy notice

This notice explains how we will use and protect your information if you choose to take part in any research activities as part of the Get Britain Working Trailblazer Evaluation. 

In compliance with the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK-GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let you know about how your information will be handled (Data protection: The UK's data protection legislation - GOV.UK).

Data protection legislation determines how, when and why any organisation can process personal data. ‘Personal data’ means any information which can identify someone. ‘Processing’ means any actions performed on personal data, including collection, storage, alteration, or deletion. These laws exist to ensure that your data are managed safely and used responsibly. They also provide you with certain rights in respect of your data.  

In this privacy notice, we explain the legal reason for data processing, what personal data we will collect, who will have access to your personal data, how your data will be used, when it will be deleted, and who you can contact about a query and complaint.  

1. The legal reason for handling data

The National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), ICF and Alma Economics are the data processors for this project. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the data controller. As the data controller, the DWP are responsible for deciding the purpose and legal reason for handling data. This project is funded by the DWP and delivered by NatCen, ICF and Alma Economics. The legal reason for processing the data is ‘public task’. This means DWP is required to carry out this research in order to perform its functions in the public interest (Personal information charter - Department for Work and Pensions - GOV.UK). All the information you provide will be held in strict confidence and held securely.

2. What personal data will be collected?

NatCen will have access to the contact details of those taking part in any research activities (interviews, focus groups, workshops, participant observations, diary studies and surveys) – this could include your name, email address and phone number where needed to arrange research activities. 

Information collected in the interviews, focus groups, workshops, participant observations, diary studies and surveys may include your experiences and views on the programme and the role of wider factors in this, including your personal circumstances or factors related to your role. This could also include special category data, for example information about your health or wellbeing. “Special category data” refers to specific types of personal data that require increased protection due to their sensitive nature. This data will be managed by the research team in strict accordance with UK-GDPR.

3. Who will be able to access my personal data?

Only the research teams at NatCen, ICF and Alma Economics will have access to your personal data. 
At no point will those at DWP or those managing your participation in services funded by the Get Britain Working Trailblazers programme be able to identify you from your participation in the evaluation. Taking part in the research will not affect your access to employment support services now or in the future and will not impact any benefits you may be receiving.

4. How will my data be treated?

In conducting this research on behalf of DWP, NatCen and ICF are required to comply with Data Protection legislation and may only process your personal information under the direction of DWP and for DWP purposes only. The data we collect will be used for research purposes only. All the information you provide will be held in strict confidence and held securely, so that only the research team will have access to your personal data. Anonymised interview transcripts and survey responses may be shared by NatCen with DWP and then will be destroyed after 10 years. 

Data protection law requires that personal data are kept for no longer than is necessary. We only continue to hold personal data when it is still being used to carry out research in the public interest. In addition, we will take active steps to remove the details which could be used to identify you from the raw data as soon as we practically can. 

5. Will I have access to the data I provide in research activities?  

You have the right:

  • to ask us for access to information about you that we hold; 
  • to have your personal data amended, if it is inaccurate or incomplete;
  • to restrict or object to your data being processed;
  • to destroy this data;  
  • to move, copy or transfer your data. 

However, once the data has been analysed, made anonymous or the report has been published, we will not be able to change the findings by removing an individual’s information. Nonetheless, you may request that your personal data be deleted or updated. We will let you know whether this is possible.

6. Transfer to countries outside EEA or the UK

Your personal data may be held on cloud-based software in the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA). Only the research team at NatCen will be able to access this data. Data protection and security processes will be adhered to at all times, assuring that your data is secure and protected.

7. Who can I contact with a query or complaint?

If you have any questions about how your data will be used, please contact NatCen’s Head of Data Protection at dpo@natcen.ac.uk or via post at:

Data Protection Officer
NatCen Social Research 
3rd Floor (Tiller)
250 City Road
London
EC1V 2AB

Data Protection Officers are responsible for upholding your rights and making sure we process your information correctly.

Where we are processing your personal data with your consent, you have the right to access a copy of your personal data, ask for your personal data to be corrected, or ask for your personal data to be deleted. If you would like to make any request related to your personal data or to withdraw your consent, please contact: Trailblazers@natcen.ac.uk.

If you would like to contact DWP about this research, please email: trailblazer.research@dwp.gov.uk 

Under UK-GDPR, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office if your query is not satisfactorily addressed by us. 

Information Commissioner’s Office:
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

Or please go to https://ico.org.uk for more information.