Data Protection Statement

Pathway Music Education is committed to safeguarding the privacy and personal data of all students, staff, and stakeholders. We adhere to the principles outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable UK and EU data protection laws. Our organisation ensures that personal information is handled responsibly, securely, and transparently, respecting the rights of individuals at all times.

Data Protection Policy

1. Purpose of Data Collection

We collect personal data solely for legitimate educational, administrative, and operational purposes. This includes enrolment, communication, lesson scheduling, and compliance with legal requirements.

2. Types of Data Collected

Personal data collected may include names, contact details, date of birth, emergency contacts, academic records, and payment information. Sensitive data, such as health information, is only gathered when necessary for safeguarding or accessibility.

3. Data Usage and Storage

All personal data is processed fairly and lawfully. Data is stored securely, using appropriate technical and organisational measures to prevent unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Access to data is restricted to staff who require it for their role.

4. Sharing of Data

We do not share personal data with third parties except where required by law, or with trusted partners who provide essential services under strict confidentiality agreements. Data is never sold or used for marketing without explicit consent.

5. Data Retention

Personal data is retained only as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by legal obligations. Once no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymised.

6. Rights of Individuals

Individuals have the right to access, rectify, erase, restrict, or object to the processing of their personal data. Requests can be made in writing to our Data Protection Officer, and will be responded to within one month.

7. Contact and Complaints

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your personal data, please contact our Data Protection Officer at info@pathwaymusiceducation.com. Complaints can also be directed to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

This policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to ensure ongoing compliance and protection of personal data.

Safeguarding

7.1 Safeguarding Adults Policy Statement

This policy will enable THE PATHWAY CIO to demonstrate its commitment to keeping safe the vulnerable adults with whom it works alongside. THE PATHWAY CIOacknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse.

It is important to have the policy and procedures in place so that staff, volunteers, service users and carers, and management committee can work to prevent abuse and know what to do in the event of abuse.

The Policy Statement and Procedures have been drawn up in order to enable THE PATHWAY CIO  to:

• Promote good practice and work in a way that can prevent harm, abuse and coercion occurring.
• To ensure that any allegations of abuse or suspicions are dealt with appropriately and the person experiencing abuse is supported.
• To stop that abuse occurring.

The Policy and Procedures relate to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. Vulnerable adults are defined as:

• People aged 18 or over
• Who are receiving or may need community care services because of learning, physical or mental disability, age, or illness
• Who are or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.

(No Secrets, Department of Health, 2000)

The policy applies to all staff, including senior managers, management committee members, trustees, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff, students and anyone working on behalf of THE PATHWAY CIO.

It is acknowledged that significant numbers of vulnerable adults are abused and it is important that THE PATHWAY CIO has a Safeguarding Adults Policy, a set of procedures to follow and puts in place preventative measures to try and reduce those numbers.

In order to implement the policy the THE PATHWAY CIO will work:

• to promote the freedom and dignity of the person who has or is experiencing abuse
• to promote the rights of all people to live free from abuse and coercion
• to ensure the safety and well being of people who do not have the capacity to decide how they want to respond to abuse that they are experiencing
• to manage services in a way which promotes safety and prevents abuse
• recruit staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• provide effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support and training

THE PATHWAY CIO:

• will ensure that all management committee members, trustees, staff, volunteers, service users, and carers/families are familiar with this policy and procedures
• will work with other agencies within the framework of the Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board Policy and Procedures, issued under No Secrets guidance (Department of Health, 2000)
• will act within it’s confidentiality policy and will usually gain permission from service users before sharing information about them with another agency
• will pass information to Adult and Culture Services when more than one person is at risk. For example: if the concern relates to a worker, volunteer or organisation who provides a service to vulnerable adults or children
• will inform service users that where a person is in danger, a child is at risk or a crime has been committed then a decision may be taken to pass information to another agency without the service user’s consent
• will make a referral to the Adult Social Care Direct team as appropriate
• will endeavor to keep up to date with national developments relating to preventing abuse and welfare of adults
• will ensure that the Designated Named Person understands his/her responsibility to refer incidents of adult abuse to the relevant statutory agencies (Police/Adult and Culture Services Directorate)

The Designated Named Person for Safeguarding Adults in THE PATHWAY CIO is :- Steven Hewitt, 07703 161 481 and deputy is Guy James, Chair, 07789 276445

They should be contacted for support and advice on implementing this policy and procedures.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Oldham’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults

Policy and Procedures documents which are available at:

 http://www.oldham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/828/safeguarding_adults_policy

These are kept Oldham Mission Lees Road Oldham, Oldham Council Website