Do I need to be registered with the ICO for data protection or not?

[fleurry]

I was revamping my Safeguarding policy and had seen lots of mentions about the ICO Information Commissioners Office ? I printed off paperwork and was just going to send £35 to be registered When I saw something on childcare.co.uk that Sarah had written saying that childminders had no liability to the Freedom of Information Act?? So basically do I need to send off my money or not??? Sure Sarah will know straight away??

[tamsin]

It depends on how you stored records.

If you do absolutely nothing electronically including photos then no;
if you keep only names/ages/addresses/payment information electronically then no.

If you put anything else about children/parents on computer, including digi photos then yes.

[PixiePetal]

If you even only use a digital camera which goes nowhere near a PC, you need to register

[geordiebunny]

I agree with pixiepetal, I rang other day(paperwork arrived today) first and only question they asked when I said I was a childminder was do you use a digital camera? yes then you need to register.

[sarah707]

There are 2 different acts at play here - the freedom of information act and the data protection act.

Childminders do not have any liability under the freedom of information act.

However, we are liable under the data protection act and it is for this reason that we need to register with ICO if we use digital media.

Hth

[fleurry]

Thanks guys don't know what Id do without you lot!