Privacy Policy | Sharpe Psychology Ltd

Data Protection and Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Sharpe Psychology Ltd is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the individuals and organisations we work with. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and share personal information in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

We only collect information that is necessary to provide Educational Psychology services and ensure that data is handled lawfully, fairly, and transparently.

2. Who We Are

Sharpe Psychology Ltd provides Educational Psychology assessments, consultations, and training to families, schools, professionals, and Local Authorities.

Registered Office Address: 27 Old Gloucester Street, London, WC1N 3AX

Data Controller: Dr Katharine Sharpe
Email: katharine.sharpe@sharpepsychology.co.uk

ICO Reference Number: ZA244288

3. What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following personal information:

Personal details: name, date of birth, address, contact details.
Educational information: school reports, progress data, individual plans.
Health and wellbeing information: relevant medical, psychological, or therapy reports.
Professional information: details of teachers, SENCOs, and other professionals involved.
Parental/guardian information: names, contact details, parental responsibility.

We only collect information that is relevant to the purpose of providing educational psychology services.

4. How We Use Personal Information

Personal data is used for the following purposes:

Conducting assessments of children and young people.
Preparing written reports and recommendations.
Providing consultation and training to schools, parents, and professionals.
Communicating with families, schools, and Local Authorities regarding a child’s needs.
Meeting legal and safeguarding responsibilities.

We will always explain how your information will be used and obtain consent where required.

5. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

Consent: where you have given clear permission.
Contract: where processing is necessary to provide a service you have requested.
Legal obligation: where processing is required by law (e.g., safeguarding).
Legitimate interests: where processing is necessary to provide services and does not override your rights.

6. How We Store Personal Information

All electronic records are stored securely within encrypted, password-protected cloud services that comply with UK GDPR requirements.
Paper records (where used) are kept in locked storage and shredded once the commissioned work has been completed.
We retain personal data for children/young people until they turn 25 years old in accordance with legal obligations.

7. Sharing Information

We will not share personal information with third parties unless:

You have given consent.
It is required by law, safeguarding, or to protect vital interests.

All sharing is done securely and on a need-to-know basis.

8. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, legislation you have the following rights:

To be informed about how your data is used.
To access your personal data.
To request corrections to inaccurate data.
To request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”).
To restrict or object to processing in certain circumstances.

Requests should be made in writing to the Data Controller via email: katharine.sharpe@sharpepsychology.co.uk

9. Complaints

If you have concerns about how your data has been handled, please contact Sharpe Psychology Ltd in the first instance so that the matter can be resolved as quickly as possible.

You also have the right to complain to the UK’s data protection authority:
Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Website: www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113

10. Updates to this Policy

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in legislation or practice. The latest version will always be available on request.