The Scottish Government takes the security of your personal data very seriously. This statement sets out why we need your information, what we need and how we will use it.
Identity and contact details of the controller and the data protection officer
Falkirk Council is the data controller. You can contact the data protection officer at:
Frequently asked questions
Why do we need data about you?
The Scottish Government and FSS Service Providers need to collect and use information about you (data) to provide you with further information about Scottish Government employability programmes. In addition, the data is used to deliver employability support services that will help you increase your skills and to find and keep work.
We are able to gather, use and share (process) your data as a "public task in the public interest" under relevant laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (article 6(1)(e)). We are able to process your sensitive personal (special category) data by ensuring that this processing is proportionate, and is necessary for statistical research purposes under the General Data Protection Regulation (article 9 Sections (2)(g) and (j)).
For the purposes of the General Data Protection Regulation, the Scottish Government is the Data Controller of your personal information and FSS Service Providers, as Data Processors, will process this information on behalf of the Scottish Government.
How will your data be used?
The Scottish Government and FSS Service Providers will use your data to:
- agree with you what types of support services will help you to find and keep work
- monitor and report on our performance in supporting you, including producing statistics and equalities monitoring reports
- enable the FSS Service Provider to claim payment from the Scottish Government under the Fair Start Scotland service
- better understand how services work, what difference they make to the people involved and how to improve future services for people like yourself.
What information about you is needed?
To deliver, monitor and evaluate FSS services, we will ask you for:
- your contact details
- other personal data (for example, your age, gender, National Insurance Number), and
- sensitive personal data (for example, about your health, religion, ethnicity).
- We will also ask about your employment history and will hold information on the support you receive as a Fair Start Scotland Participant.
How will we store your data?
Your data will not be transferred to, stored at, or processed in a destination outside the European Economic Area (EEA). We will store your information on databases held in locations that have been tested for electronic and physical security and access will be permitted only to those with a need to know. We will not store your personal information for longer than is necessary to deliver and evaluate the Fair Start Scotland service.
Sharing your data
To deliver FSS services, the Scottish Government and FSS Service Providers may need to share the minimum necessary of your personal and sensitive details with:
- our FSS Service Provider delivery partners. These are organisations who work with us to deliver Fair Start Scotland
- specialist training organisations
- potential employers
- the Department for Work and Pensions and other referral organisations, to discuss your progress both during your time on the Fair Start Scotland service and when you leave
- other organisations necessary for your full participation in the Fair Start Scotland service eg the organisers of a training session which you are required to attend
- third party contractors acting on behalf of the Scottish Government to evaluate the effectiveness of Fair Start Scotland services and
- other parties, as is necessary for the purpose of, or in connection with, any legal proceedings (including prospective legal proceedings).
To evaluate FSS services, the Scottish Government may also:
- link your information with data held on you by other government departments, such as Department for Work and Pensions, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs or the National Health Service Scotland. This is so we can find out how the services you received made a difference to you in the longer term. This linking will be done in an anonymous way, and you will not be identifiable in any information which is published. The information will be treated so that it is fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation
- contact you to invite you to take part in the evaluation of Fair Start Scotland services. The feedback you give will help shape future employability services. The information collected will be used for research, evaluation and statistical purposes only. You do not have to take part in evaluation activities if you do not want to.
You will not be identifiable in any information which is published. Your experience with the Scottish Government, Job Centre plus or any other government agencies, including participation in Fair Start Scotland services will not be affected in any way, whether or not you take part in any research activities. We will not share your contact information for any marketing purposes.
Your responsibilities
You are reminded that it is your responsibility to:
- ensure you log out of your email and delete any browser history; and
- ensure the security of your own data (including printed material such as CVs) at all times, including when on FSS Delivery Partners premises.
Fair Start Scotland Delivery Partners cannot accept responsibility for the loss or theft of your personal data if caused by your own negligence
Your rights
- You have the right to access the personal data we process about you. To access the personal data we processes about you, submit a request in writing (by post or email) to the Scottish Government Data Protection Officer (address below). The Scottish Government will treat this as a Subject Access Request and will respond within one calendar month of receipt of the request.
- You have the right to object to processing that is or is likely to cause substantial damage or distress to you or another. To exercise this right, please write stating what processing you object to and why it is causing, or is likely to cause you damage or distress. Scottish Government will consider the request and respond within one calendar month whether the objection is accepted.
- We seek to ensure that personal data processed is accurate and up to date. You have the right to request to rectify, block, erase or destroy inaccurate information. To exercise this right you can write to Scottish Government setting out the information and the reasons you wish it to be changed etc. We will consider the request and respond within one calendar month whether the request is accepted.
- You have the right to be confident that we will handle your personal information responsibly and in line with good practice. If you have a concern about the way we are handling your information you can write using the details below.
To exercise these rights, you can write to the Scottish Government Data Protection Officer, supported by the Data Protection and Information Asset Team on:
Complaints
If you feel we have been unable, or unwilling, to resolve your information rights concern, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO are the supervisory authority responsible for data protection in the UK.
For further information, including independent data protection advice and information in relation to your rights, you can contact the Information Commissioner at:
or if you prefer to use a national rate number:
You can also report a concern online: https://ico.org.uk/concerns/handling/
This notice was last updated in February 2021.