SP-Bench | Privacy Policy

Introduction

This privacy policy sets out how Oxford Computer Consultants uses and protects any information that you provide to us when you use this web application.

Oxford Computer Consultants is committed to ensuring that the privacy of your data is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you or any other individual can be identified when using this web application, you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

What we collect

Supporting People information

We also collect the Supporting People service information on which we base the reports that form the core functionality of this web application. This information is collected in the form of an "SPLS Extract" (from here on referred to by this term), a collection of files submitted to the CLG on a regular basis, which is used by them to monitor, report back on, and publicise the services each Local Authority provides to their community.

We do not use the entire SPLS Extract as defined by the CLG (see the CLG's SPLS extract requirements page), instead we use a sub-set suitable for the reports we provide. The exact requirements of this web application can be found in the Data Requirements documentation.

The Supporting People data required by this web application does not include any data that could be used to identify any individual, the services they receive or their place (or possible place) of residence.

Your personal contact information

We collect the following information about the users of this web application:

Your name
The Local Authority you represent
Contact information including email address and telephone number
Your preferences with regards to our use of your personal and contact information
other information relevant to customer surveys and/or offers

The information you provide is not supplemented with information from any other source.

What we do with the information we gather

Supporting People information

The Supporting People data you provide as part of your usage of this web application is validated to ensure it corresponds to the Local Authority you represent before being loaded into the web application's database. The data relevant to the reporting functionality are extracted and anonymised to prevent users from other Authorities from seeing the names of any of your services.

The complete SPLS Extract files you upload to the web application are stored for future reference, in case the reporting functionality should expand to include additional data not previously used, allowing the application to retrospectively extract the newly required data.

The data made visible through the web application (to logged in users from other Local Authorities) will never include any sensitive information.

We require this Supporting People information solely to provide this web application to our registered users. It is not used for any other purpose.

Your personal contact information

We require this information to keep the web application secure, to understand your needs and provide you with a better service, and in particular for the following reasons:

Internal record keeping.
We may use the information to improve our products and services.
Your contact information may be shared with other users of the web application to enable sharing of information outside of the web application.
We may periodically send promotional emails about our new products, special offers or other information which we think you may find interesting using the email address that you have provided.
From time to time, we may also use your information to contact you for our research purposes. We may contact you by email, phone or mail. We may use the information to customise the web application according to your interests.

You may choose to opt-out of the contact information sharing and any emails from us. See the "Controlling your personal information" section below for more details.

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.

Please review our Security Policy for detailed information on the security measures in place to protect your data.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file that asks permission of your web browser to be placed on your computer's hard drive. If the browser agrees, the file is added and the cookie helps the web application to respond to you as an individual.

We use secure, encrypted session cookies that are created when you log in to the web application and allow it to identify you as the user that you logged in as. Our cookie contains only your encrypted login authentication details and is disposed of as soon as you close all your open browser windows.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the web application.

Links to other web applications

Our web application contains links to other websites provided by Oxford Computer Consultants. However, once you have used these links to leave this site, you should note that the privacy policy of the other sites will differ to the one set out here. Therefore, you should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

You may choose to restrict the use of your personal information in the following ways:

At any time you can opt in or out of sharing your contact information with users from other Local Authorities.
At any time you can opt in or out of sharing your contact details with Oxford Computer Consultants for the purposes of contacting you regarding our other products and services, or research into our current and future products.

You can manage and update these options in your account settings.

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal contact information to third parties unless we have your express permission or are required by law to do so. The Supporting People information you upload to the web application will never be shared with a third party.

You may request details of personal information that we hold about you under the Data Protection Act 1998. A small fee may be payable. If you would like a copy of the information held on you please contact us with your request.

If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please contact us as soon as possible. We will promptly correct any information found to be incorrect.

If you would like to cease using the web application and have both your personal information and any Supporting People information you have submitted, removed from the service then please contact us.

Addressing complaints

Should you have any concerns or complaints about this web application or the service it provides, please make us aware as soon as possible by any of the methods listed on the contact us page. We will work to address any issues you have as quickly as possible.