Skills for Growth

The Department for Work and Pensions is the managing authority and is the data controller for information processed which relates to participation in the European Social Fund (ESF).  More information is available at GOV.UK – Personal Information Charter

Somerset Council are the lead applicant and accountable body. As a European Social Fund grant beneficiary organisation, we are the data processor in respect to information processed by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Sub-Data Processor: Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network will administer the programme.

Sub-Data Processors: The following organisations will provide ‘Skill Up Springboard’ training:

  • Bridgwater and Taunton College
  • Aspire Training
  • Somerset Business Agency
  • Hair Academy South West

Sub-Data Processors: The following organisations will provide ‘Public Sector Workforce Skills’ training:

  • 2BTrained Ltd
  • Mediation Plus
  • Onelife
  • South West Councils
  • Somerset Skills and Learning

Somerset Council will be the data controller for ensuring eligibility for the programme and the right to work checks in the UK.

ICO Registration numbers

  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Somerset Council: Z5957592
  • Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network: ZB089513
  • Bridgwater and Taunton College: Z4677243
  • Aspire Training: Z8981727
  • Somerset Business Agency: ZA055527
  • South West Hair Academy: Z9530885
  • 2BTrained Ltd: ZB178852
  • Mediation Plus: ZB289597
  • Onelife: ZB287271
  • South West Councils: Z8794634
  • Somerset Skills and Learning: ZA121760

Data Protection Officer contacts

Department for Work and Pensions: rightofaccess.requests@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Somerset Council: informationgovernance@somerset.gov.uk

Purpose for processing

We will process your information to provide you with training opportunities.  The project requires candidates to be checked for eligibility, which will require information to be collected to confirm your identification, eligibility to work in the UK, employment status, skill level, lone parent status, and housing status.

Your contact details will be used by data processors to send you an evaluation form following your training. This is an optional, anonymised form, but all feedback will help future skills projects to improve their service.

This information will also be used to monitor the training project efficiency, such as providing different options for accessibility depending on your requirements.

Information about you will be shared with the Department for Works and Pensions.

Legal basis for processing

Your data will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and under the following conditions as specified in Articles 6 and 9 of the GDPR.

Article 6(1)(e) – processing is necessary for the Department for Work and Pensions and the Council to provide you with training to improve your skills and working opportunities.

Article 9(2)(b) – processing is necessary to carry out our obligations in the field of employment and social security and social protection law.

Data sharing

The personal data provided will be shared with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Transfers abroad

Your data will not be transferred abroad.

Data retention

Your information will be held by Somerset Council for 10 years after the final claim to keep in line with the requirements of the European Social Fund 2014 – 2020 programme.

The reasons for the 10 year retention period is to ensure that risks are minimised in respect of miscalculation and support Grant Recipients and the Managing Authority in simplifying processes.  All projects under the European Social Fund 2014-2020 Programme must ensure they keep all documents for 10 years after their final European Social Fund claim is paid by the European Social Fund Managing Authority.

Somerset Council will carry out a yearly review to check if the Annual Control Report has been submitted. Following confirmation of this, or on 30 September 2033 (whichever is earliest) all project documents will be deleted from Somerset Council servers in line with this retention policy.

All personal data held by Department for Work and Pensions or research contractors for the purposes of evaluation will be permanently deleted no more than 6 months after the research has been completed (that is, when the final report is published on GOV.UK).

Your rights

You have a number of rights in relation to your personal data including the right to ask for a copy of the information we hold about you and the right to object to your information being processed.

For more information, visit our Information rights page.

Department for Work and Pensions rights page: GOV.UK – Your rights when DWP uses your information

You also have the right to complain about how we use your data to the Information Commissioner’s Office at Information Commissioner’s Office (IOC) – Make a complaint

You can contact the Data Protection Officer by email on informationgovernance@somerset.gov.uk

Last updated: February 27, 2024

Next review due: August 27, 2024

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