Registering with the information commissioner's office

[sarah707]

I have just posted this on my new website ... but I thought it might be a useful reminder here as well

Data protection and the Information Commissioner’s Office

If you keep details about other people (including staff, families or children in your care) on your computer, you may need to notify the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) that you are a ‘data controller’ for data protection purposes.

You do not need to inform ICO –

• If you keep paper records;
• If you keep necessary records for accounts purposes only;

You might need to inform ICO –

• If you keep records of a sensitive nature on your computer or an external hard drive;
• If you make reference to individual staff, children or families as part of completing your SEF (this would not normally be necessary though);
• If you keep photographs from which the children can be identified on your computer or an external hard drive;
• If you upload photographs from which the children can be identified for processing;
• If you keep observations or planning which contain information about a child’s –
o Health;
o Behaviour;
o Development on your computer or an external hard drive;
This affects childminders in England and Wales.

Contacting the ICO
• Follow the online system to check whether you need to register with the ICO. You can find it here - www.ico.gov.uk;
• Ring the Notification Helpline for more advice - 01625 545740.

Cost and completing the forms
• Notification costs £35 a year. Diary the date you need to pay next year;
• Do not forget that the £35 payment is tax deductable;
• To describe the kind of data you hold on your computer, you should use template N894 – Nursery School / Playgroup / After school Club in the Education Section.

[Minstrel]

Thanks Sarah

[The Juggler]

Thanks. I just registered before Christmas. Thought I was organised keeping it all on computer then realised I had to register. However, my writing is sooo bad, its worth i so I can read the records and obs I keep!

Do they not send you a reminder?

[moogster1a]

What the hell......
are people actually complying with this stalinesque rubbish?
madness.

[sarah707]

What the hell......
are people actually complying with this stalinesque rubbish?
madness.

Yes of course, it's the law!

No way do I intend to run my business illegally

£35 is a small annual price to pay for peace of mind.

[moogster1a]

I've just noticed; and paying for it!!!!

[moogster1a]

tell me the reasoning behind it. I can't see any practical use behind this extra bit of beauracratic nonsense.

[sarah707]

The reasoning is that it is the law.

If you keep any information about or that could identify parents / children / employees on the computer then you must comply with the law.

As a forum, the owner and moderators are dedicated to informing members about things they need to know.

If you do not agree with it, then by all means break the law. We can only inform.

Sorry but I fail to see your problem?

[estrelas]

tell me the reasoning behind it. I can't see any practical use behind this extra bit of beauracratic nonsense.

just basic common sense really isn't it?

[moogster1a]

You can't explain a nonsensical law by saying " it's the law". I want to know the practical use of this and why we should pay for it?

[estrelas]

You can't explain a nonsensical law by saying " it's the law". I want to know the practical use of this and why we should pay for it?

Why don't you look it up, its the Law end of.

Sarah as a moderator is just informing us of things we need to know.

If your quering a law, then look it up and complain to them. The end outcome will be the same, its something we have to do, whether we agree or not.

[Andrea08]

hi i was told by paying for the registration etc that you are responsible for the data you hold and at all times take care of it ,,

just like when the goverment lost every1's tax credit information

its part of safeguarding information , to say you will be responsible and take care of the information , not pass it on or loose it (i think?)

[angeldelight]

Thank you Sarah for the information

Angel xx

[Zoomie]

Thank you Sarah, for the information too, but not the bill

[Bendalina]

Just reading through for info for NVQ 3 CCLD and its staes that this now includes paperwork? as well as info stored on a computer. Just wanted to add, couldnt see if somebody had already done so or not. thanks for your valuable information guys

[green puppy]

Thank you Sarah, the link says the page can't be found though?

[ORKSIE]

I have already done this.

Thanks Sarah xxx

[Pauline]

Thank you Sarah, the link says the page can't be found though?

This is an old thread GP so it could be that the page has been moved on their website.

[linda2girls]

I emailed them last month, just to get something in writing from them. This is their reply and my questions below. I have decided to register with them.

Dear Ms Tate,

Thank you for your email of 19 July.

We can confirm that any childminders who use a digital camera to record the development of the children, and / or process on computer observations of children’s development, health or behaviour, will be required to notify.

If any data regarding education or childcare are processed using any type of electronic device, notification will be required as these are not exempt purposes. For details of the exemptions please refer to our on-line Notification Exemptions – self-assessment guide at http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/...to_notify.aspx

They can start the application process on-line at http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/...ification.aspx or by telephoning our Notification Helpline on 01625 545740.

Regards
Notification Department

-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Tate [mailto:linda.tate2@ntlworld.com]
Sent: 19 July 2010 09:10
To: Notification@
Subject: Registering with you

I am a childminder and recently went to a childminder’s meeting where registering with the ICO was discussed. Many of the childminders seemed unclear as to whether or not they needed to register with you. I wondered whether you could answer the following questions and I could take your response to the next meeting. Do we need to notify you in the following circumstances:-

1. Taking photos of children on a digital camera or mobile phone and then immediately printing them off on a Panasonic Pogo and deleting them. - Yes

2. Storing photos on a computer – no children’s names. - Yes

3. Storing photos on a memory stick – no children’s names. - Yes

4. Storing observation reports with photos and children’s name on a computer or memory stick. - Yes

Thank you in advance for your help.

Linda Tate

[ChocolateChip]

Thanks for that Linda, and Sarah!
I had been told that as I don't hold any records on pc, and don't put names to photos that I wouldn't have to register but it seems as I use a digital camera that I do, so thanks for clarifying!