We collect and use your information because it’s part of our public task - a job the law gives us to do in the public interest.
We collect it so we can:
- help you into work and understand your needs, plan support and track progress
- check you are eligible to make sure you meet the programme rules
- work with employers to connect you to job opportunities
- meet legal and funding requirements and report (mostly anonymised) data to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- keep people safe to manage risks if there are restrictions on where or how you can work
- improve the programme - DWP will evaluate Connect to Work nationally after it ends in 2030
If we need to use special category information (like criminal record data, health or ethnicity), we do this because it’s in the substantial public interest. For example, to make sure you get the right support and to keep you and others safe.
As part of supporting you to get a job, it may be appropriate for an advisor to speak to an employer about barriers you may be facing. The advisor will seek your consent in order to do this.
What information we collect
Depending on your stage in the programme, we may collect:
- name, address, contact details, date of birth
- National Insurance number, postcode
- work history and current employment status
- health information related to work
- information about restrictions on work (which may include criminal convictions if you choose to disclose them)
- ethnicity, disability, or other personal details you choose to share
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. We will ask your consent for this.
We only collect what we need to provide support or meet legal requirements.
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. This is because we need to carry out a public task which is the lawful basis for collecting data and to protect you and others.
Who we share it with
We will share your information 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
- safeguarding teams, if there’s a safety concern
We may share your data with:
- other people who support you (professionals or family members) - we will ask for your consent for this
- employers (with your agreement)
How long we keep it
West Sussex County Council keeps your data only while the programme runs and reporting is needed.
After 31 March 2030, DWP will hold your data for a national evaluation, then delete it. 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 can:
- see a copy of your information
- ask us to correct anything that’s wrong
- ask us to delete it (in some cases)
- ask us to stop using it (in some cases)