Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 2026

Caring Families CIC respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.

This privacy policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it and the choices and rights you have.

Who we are

Caring Families CIC supports parents and families of children with complex health and care needs by providing practical information, resources, webinars and parent-to-parent support.

For the purposes of UK data protection law, Caring Families CIC is the organisation responsible for deciding how and why your personal information is used.

If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how we use your information, you can contact us through:

Website: www.caringfamiliescic.co.uk
 

What information we may collect

Depending on how you interact with Caring Families, we may collect information including:

• your name;

• your email address and other contact details you choose to provide;

• information you provide when completing one of our assessments or forms;

• information you provide when booking or attending a webinar, event or support session;

• messages or enquiries you send to us;

• feedback you choose to provide;

• information about how you use our website and online services.

When you use our Is Your Child's Care Package Working? assessment or access individual support, you may also choose to provide information about your child's care, health needs or support arrangements.

Information relating to health is treated as special-category personal data and requires additional protection.

We aim to collect only the information we need to provide the support, information or service you have requested.

 

Our care package assessment

Our Is Your Child's Care Package Working? assessment is designed to help parents reflect on different parts of their child's care package.

When you complete the assessment, we may collect:

• your name and email address;

• your answers to the assessment questions;

• your assessment scores and results; and

• information about your child's care arrangements that can be inferred from your answers.

We use this information to calculate and provide your assessment results, help identify areas of your child's care package that may need attention and provide relevant information and resources.

The assessment is intended as an information and support tool. It is not a clinical assessment and does not make decisions about your child's eligibility for NHS, social care or other services.

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Why we use your information

We may use your personal information to:

• provide assessments, resources and information you request;

• provide your assessment results;

• respond to enquiries;

• provide parent support;

• manage bookings for webinars, events or support sessions;

• communicate with you about something you have booked or requested;

• understand which issues families are experiencing so that we can improve our resources and support;

• administer and improve Caring Families' services; and

• meet our legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Where we use information to understand wider trends affecting families, we will aim to use aggregated or anonymised information wherever practical rather than identifying individual families.

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Our lawful basis for using your information

UK data protection law requires us to have a lawful reason for processing personal information.

Depending on the circumstances, we may process your information because:

You have asked us to provide a service or take steps at your request.
For example, when you complete an assessment, request a resource or book support.

We have a legitimate interest in operating and improving Caring Families CIC.
For example, responding to enquiries, understanding how our services are being used and improving the information and support we provide. Where we rely on legitimate interests, we consider your privacy rights and whether our use of the information is reasonable and proportionate.

You have given us consent.
Where consent is required, you can withdraw it at any time.

We have a legal obligation.
We may need to retain or disclose certain information where the law requires us to do so.

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Information about health and care needs

Some information you provide may reveal information about your child's health, disability or care needs. Health information is classed as special-category personal data under UK data protection law.

Where we need to process this information, we will identify an appropriate lawful basis and an additional condition for processing special-category information.

Where we rely on your explicit consent to process this information, we will ask for this separately and clearly.

Please avoid providing detailed medical information unless it is relevant to the support you are requesting.

 

Email updates and marketing

Completing an assessment, downloading a resource or contacting Caring Families does not automatically mean that you have agreed to receive marketing emails.

Where we ask whether you would like to receive newsletters, resources or other updates from Caring Families, we will provide a separate choice.

You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe link in an email or by contacting us.

We may still contact you where necessary to provide something you have specifically requested, such as assessment results, a booking or support.

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Who we share information with

We do not sell your personal information.

We may use trusted organisations that provide technology and services which help us operate Caring Families. Depending on the service you use, these may include providers for:

• website hosting and website forms;

• online assessments;

• email communications;

• booking systems;

• online events;

• online communities or learning resources; and

• secure business administration and record keeping.

For example, our care package assessment is currently provided using ScoreApp, and our main Caring Families website is hosted using Wix.

These organisations may process personal information on our behalf in order to provide their services.

We may also disclose information where required by law or where necessary to protect someone's vital interests.

We will not routinely share information about your child or family with NHS organisations, local authorities, schools, care providers or other professionals without an appropriate reason and lawful basis.

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International transfers

Some of the technology providers we use may process or store information outside the United Kingdom.

Where personal information is transferred internationally, we take reasonable steps to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK data protection law.

 

How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as it is reasonably needed for the purpose for which it was collected, including providing support, maintaining appropriate records and meeting legal or regulatory requirements.

Different types of information may therefore be kept for different periods.

We periodically review the information we hold and delete or anonymise information that we no longer need.

 

Keeping your information secure

We take reasonable organisational and technical measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure.

Where we use third-party technology providers, we consider the way those services handle and protect personal information.

 

Your data protection rights

Depending on the circumstances, UK data protection law may give you rights including the right to:

• ask what personal information we hold about you;

• request a copy of your information;

• ask us to correct inaccurate information;

• ask us to delete information in certain circumstances;

• ask us to restrict how information is used;

• object to certain uses of your information;

• withdraw consent where we rely on consent; and

• request transfer of certain information.

Not every right applies in every circumstance.

If you would like to exercise one of these rights, please contact Caring Families CIC.

You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), the UK's data protection regulator.

 

Children's information

Our services are primarily designed to support parents and carers, rather than for children to use independently.

Parents may provide information about their child where it is relevant to understanding their care package or providing support.

Because this information can be sensitive, we ask parents to provide only the information that is reasonably necessary.

 

Cookies and website information

Our website and the services we use may use cookies or similar technologies to operate the website, understand how it is being used and provide particular features.

Where required, you will be given choices about non-essential cookies.

More information about cookies may also be provided through the cookie settings on our website.

 

Links to other websites

Our website and resources may contain links to NHS organisations, charities, government services and other websites.

Caring Families CIC is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites. You should review their privacy information if you provide personal information to them.

 

Changes to this privacy policy

We may update this policy as Caring Families develops or if our services, technology or legal responsibilities change.

The latest version will always be available on the Caring Families website.

 

Contact us

If you have questions about this policy, want to know what information we hold about you, or want to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:

Caring Families CIC
www.caringfamiliescic.co.uk