Connect to Work is a programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and delivered locally by West Sussex County Council in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and delivery partners.
We process personal data so we can:
- provide employment support to eligible participants
- work with employers and partner organisations
- meet our legal and contractual obligations to DWP
- safeguard participants and staff
- evaluate the programme’s effectiveness
This privacy statement explains:
- what personal data we collect
- why we collect it
- who we share it with
- how long we keep it
- your rights
What personal data we collect
The information we collect may include:
- name, address, postcode, date of birth and contact details
- National Insurance number
- employment status and history
- earnings data
- health-related information (including barriers to work)
- information about restrictions on where and how you can work (which may include criminal
- convictions if you choose to disclose them to the Connect to Work team)
- special category data (for example, disability, ethnicity)
We only collect the minimum data necessary to deliver the programme and fulfil our obligations.
Purposes and lawful bases for processing
All purposes below are processed under Article 6(1)(e) UK GDPR - Public task (processing necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority).
As part of providing this supported employment programme we may ask you for contact details for other professionals who are supporting you, and also family members and friends who are supporting you. This is voluntary, so we will ask your consent for this.
Where we process special category data (for example, health, ethnicity), we rely on Article 9(2)(g) UK GDPR - Substantial public interest (Schedule 1, Part 2, para. 6 of the Data Protection Act 2018 - statutory and government programme delivery, equality of opportunity, and safeguarding).
Purpose 1 - Caseload management for service delivery
To follow DWP’s required models of supported employment (Individual Placement and Support and the Supported Employment Quality Framework), we capture data at the following key points:
- expression of interest
- eligibility checks
- onboarding
- support delivery
- end of provision
This includes employer contact information.
Purpose 2 - Providing tailored support
To design support around individual needs, including health, disability and work restrictions, to support participants to address barriers to employment.
Purpose 3 - Eligibility checks
To confirm that participants meet programme criteria, such as:
- location
- employment status
- health/disability
- membership of a priority group (as defined by the Department for Work and Pensions) and that they are not in overlapping provision
Purpose 4 - Mandatory reporting to DWP
To meet funding requirements, we submit referral and performance data to DWP in both ‘masked’ and, where necessary, ‘unmasked’ formats. Masked data is anonymised or encrypted. Unmasked data is strictly controlled and limited in access.
Purpose 5 - Employer engagement
To record and maintain contact details for employers to support job opportunities in work support and to facilitate the development of inclusive recruitment practices.
Purpose 6 - Safeguarding
To manage risks where participants disclose Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) status or unspent criminal convictions.
Purpose 7 - National evaluation
After the programme ends on 31 March 2030, DWP will be the sole data controller for national evaluation. West Sussex County Council will securely transfer data to DWP, after which we will delete all personal data it holds for Connect to Work.
Who we share your data with
We will share personal data with:
- the Department for Work and Pensions who are part of the national government and who are funding Connect to Work
- West Sussex County Council staff delivering Connect to Work
- partner organisations delivering Connect to Work which may include Brighton & Hove City Council, District and Borough council staff and commissioned community and voluntary organisations
We may share personal data with:
- other people who support you (professionals or family members) - we will ask for your specific consent for this
- employers involved in job placements - we will ask for your consent for this
Criminal data
If you disclose that you have an unspent criminal conviction and/or a safeguarding issue arises, your personal data may be shared with West Sussex County Council MAPPA contacts, police or probation.
We are able to do this as per paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Data Protection Act 2018: Employment, social care and social protection.
MAPPA guidance about safeguarding will also apply.
Data retention
West Sussex County Council will retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to deliver Connect to Work and meet reporting obligations.
Connect to Work is due to end on 31 March 2030. At this point data will be transferred to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
After 31 March 2030, DWP will hold your data for the national evaluation, then delete it once evaluation is complete. You will receive more information from the DWP when the programme ends, since they will be the sole Data Controller and will be responsible for your data.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- access your data
- request correction of inaccurate data
- request erasure (in certain circumstances)
- restrict or object to processing (where applicable)
- complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Contact details
See Department for Work and Pensions data protection details.