The Youth Offending Team works together with other professionals and organisations to stop young people offending and to help their parents and carers. In order to do this, the Youth Offending Team workers have to obtain information from other people or organisations and also share information about the young people we are working with. The following information should help you to understand these arrangements.
Your records
In order to give you the help you need, and also to be able to account for the work we are doing, we have to record information. This may be in the form of:
These may be written notes in a personal file held by your Youth Offending Team Officer. Other people working in the Youth Offending Team who have contact with you may make notes in that file, for example, our Health Worker, Education Welfare Officer, Police Officer or indeed, volunteers working with you. Also, in that file will be copies of documents relating to you such as court reports, court order, list of previous convictions etc.
The Youth Offending Team holds personal details on a computerised case management system. The Youth Offending Team also holds case notes on the computer. We are increasingly making use of the computers to hold our case information. The use of the computer enables the Youth Offending Team to find information about you more easily, which may be helpful to you. The computer also enables us to provide statistics to account for the work we do.
Your rights
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 you have a right to see information held about you. If this involves disclosing information about another person (i.e. a "third party") normally that person would be asked for her or his permission to disclose that information.
How to see your records
To see your record you should make your request in writing to your Youth Offending Team Officer or her or his team leader. Your Youth Offending Team Officer will help you with writing this letter if you like. If you cannot or do not want to ask your Youth Offending Team worker or her or his team leader yourself, you can ask someone else to to so on your behalf, but they must be able to produce evidence that they are acting on your behalf.
When other people need information about you
The Youth Offending Team may need to share information about you with other professionals or organisations who provide a service to you, for example your school or college, the Health Service or Housing Department. We may also need to share information about you to protect your safety or to safeguard others. This will only happen if it is considered absolutely necessary.
The Youth Offending Team may have to share information about you because of something the courts do which requires it. For example, if you are sent into secure accommodation, or given a Detention Centre Order.
Any professionals, Youth Offending Team members, or staff who have access to information about you are bound by confidentiality laws and professional codes of conduct.
Other uses of the information
Statistics and information may be used for audit and research purposes and to assist service planning. In all circumstances this information will be made anonymous.
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