Sensitive pupil data being taken by local authorities without consent

Sensitive pupil data being taken by local authorities without consent

New research shows that authorities are pulling data about pupils in alternative provision without seeking consent from the children or parents.

As reported by Tes, a campaigning organisation has said that it is contemplating taking legal action unless steps are taken to make sure parents and children are informed that data is going to be collected and how it is going to be used.

As of 18 January 2018, information on why children are being educated outside of schools, such as teenage pregnancy and mental health issues will be recorded and collected.

The government’s guide to the alternative-provision census for 2018 states that, as of this year, pupils’ primary reason for being placed in alternative provision should be recorded.

However, campaigning organisation Defend Digital Me said that if parents and children are not being told data is being collected then there isn't a “legal basis for collecting it”.

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