Interviews and focus groups about support needs of health and disability claimants: privacy notice
In line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), there are certain things that we need to let you, a research participant, know about how your information will be processed. In this privacy notice, we explain the legal basis for data processing, who will have access to your personal data, how your data will be used, stored and deleted, and who you can contact with a query or a complaint.
What is the legal basis for processing my data?
For the purpose of data protection legislation, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are the data controllers and NatCen are the data processers. This means DWP is responsible for deciding the purpose and legal basis for processing data from this study. For this study, the legal basis for processing data is ‘Public Task’.
Who will have access to my personal data?
Your data will be held securely by NatCen in line with the UK GDPR. Only the NatCen research team and the transcription partner that we work with will have access to personal data that you provide during the interview or focus group. All the information you provide will be held in strict confidence and held securely.
McGowan Transcriptions is the transcription service that NatCen use. They are on NatCen’s approved supplier list and are compliant with all of NatCen’s information security policies.
NatCen is carrying out this research and will have access to the sample file of those receiving government benefits selected for the research (including contact details) as well as the responses you provided to our survey.
How will my information be used?
The data collected will be used for research purposes only.
NatCen will write a report covering the main themes and issues that have been discussed in the interviews and focus groups. NatCen will not name you in the report nor will it be possible to identify you from your data. The report may include quotes of what you have said. The quotes will be labelled anonymously, and any other identifiable information will be removed. At no point will the individual who is managing your claim (or anyone at your local Jobcentre Plus) be able to identify you.
The report will be published on the gov.uk website.
With your consent, your responses may be combined, for research and statistical purposes only, with information held by the Department for Work and Pensions and other approved government departments/organisations.
Data retention
All data stored by NatCen will be deleted once the report has been published in March 2025.
Will I have access to the information I provide in the interview or focus group?
Yes, but please note that once your data is combined with others’, anonymised or research findings have been published, we would not be able to change the findings by removing individual information. However, you can always request that your personal data be deleted or updated, and we will let you know immediately if this is possible or not.
Who to contact if you have a query or complaint?
To contact the research team at NatCen, please email workandhealthinterview@natcen.ac.uk or call 0800 652 4569 free of charge.
If you would like to contact DWP about this research, please email research.workandhealth@dwp.gov.uk.
If you have any questions about how your data will be used, please contact NatCen’s Data Protection Officer:
Data Protection Officer
NatCen Social Research
Kings House,
101-135 Kings Rd,
Brentwood
CM14 4LX
Email: dpo@natcen.ac.uk
Data Protection Officers are responsible for upholding your rights and making sure we process your information correctly.
Under UK GDPR, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Contact Information
Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow,
Cheshire,
SK9 5AF
Helpline number: 0303 123 1113
Email: www.ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/email
Website: www.ico.org.uk