Data Protection Policy
Reviewed June 2026
The purpose of this policy is to set out the Metabolic Support commitment and procedures for protecting personal data. Metabolic Support regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal information as very important to successful working, and to maintaining the confidence of those with whom we deal with.
The Data Protection Act Legislation
This contains 8 principles for processing personal data with which Metabolic Support will comply. Personal data:
- Shall be processed fairly and lawfully and, in particular, shall not be processed unless specific conditions are met,
- Shall be obtained only for one or more of the purposes specified in the Act, and shall not be processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes,
- Shall be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to those purpose(s)
- Shall be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date,
- Shall not be kept for longer than is necessary
- Shall be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the Act,
- Shall be kept secure by the Data Controller who takes appropriate technical and other measures to prevent unauthorised or unlawful processing or accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal information,
- Shall not be transferred to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal information.
The following list contains definitions of the technical terms we have used and is intended to aid understanding of this policy:
Data Controller – The person who (either alone or with others) decides what personal information Metabolic Support will hold and how it will be held or used.
The General Data Protection Regulation – The UK legislation that provides a framework for responsible behaviour by those using personal information.
Data Protection Officer – The senior manager who is responsible for ensuring that it follows its data protection policy and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998
Data Subject/Service User – The individual whose personal information is being held or processed by Metabolic Support (for example: a service user or a supporter)
‘Explicit’ consent – is a freely given, specific and informed agreement by a Data Subject (see definition) to the processing of personal information about her/him.
Explicit consent is needed for processing sensitive data this includes the following:
- (a) racial or ethnic origin of the data subject
- (b) political opinions
- (c) religious beliefs or other beliefs of a similar nature
- (d) trade union membership
- (e) physical or mental health or condition
- (f) sexual orientation
- (g) criminal record
- (h) proceedings for any offence committed or alleged to have been committed
Notification – Notifying the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) about the data processing activities of Metabolic Support. Note: Not-for-profit organisations are exempt from notification.
Information Commissioner – The UK Information Commissioner responsible for implementing and overseeing the Data Protection Act 1998.
Processing – means collecting, amending, handling, storing or disclosing personal information
Personal Information – Information about living individuals that enables them to be identified – e.g. names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. It does not apply to information about organisations, companies and agencies but applies to named persons, such as individual volunteers of the Group.
Applying the Data Protection Act within Metabolic Support
Whilst access to personal information is limited to the staff and volunteers at Metabolic Support, Volunteers at Metabolic Support may undertake additional tasks which involve the collection of personal details from members of the public.
In such circumstances we will let people know why we are collecting their data and it is our responsibility to ensure the data is only used for this purpose.
Correcting data
Individuals have a right to have data corrected if it is wrong, to prevent use which is causing them damage or distress or to stop marketing information being sent to them.
Responsibilities
Metabolic Support is the Data Controller under the Act, and is legally responsible for complying with the Act, which means that it determines what purposes personal information held will be used for.
The management committee will take into account legal requirements and ensure that it is properly implemented, and will through appropriate management, strict application of criteria and controls:
Observe fully conditions regarding the fair collection and use of information,
Meet its legal obligations to specify the purposes for which information is used,
Collect and process appropriate information, and only to the extent that it is needed to fulfil its operational needs or to comply with any legal requirements,
Ensure the quality of information used,
Ensure that the rights of people about whom information is held, can be fully exercised under the Act. These include:
The right to be informed that processing is being undertaken
The right of access to one’s personal information
The right to prevent processing in certain circumstances and
The right to correct, rectify, block or erase information which is regarded as wrong information
Take appropriate technical and organisational security measures to safeguard personal information,
Ensure that personal information is not transferred abroad without suitable safeguards,
- Treat people justly and fairly whatever their age, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity when dealing with requests for information,
- Set out clear procedures for responding to requests for information
The Data Protection Officer is: CEO Contact Details: 0800 652 3181
The Data Protection Officer will be responsible for ensuring that the policy is implemented and will have overall responsibility for:
- Everyone processing personal information understands that they are contractually responsible for following good data protection practice
- Everyone processing personal information is appropriately trained to do so
- Everyone processing personal information is appropriately supervised
- Anybody wanting to make enquiries about handling personal information knows what to do
- Dealing promptly and courteously with any enquiries about handling personal information
- Describe clearly how it handles personal information
- Will regularly review and audit the ways it hold, manage and use personal information
- Will regularly assess and evaluate its methods and performance in relation to handling personal information
- All staff and volunteers are aware that a breach of the rules and procedures identified in this policy may lead to action being taken against them
This policy will be updated as necessary to reflect best practice in data management, security and control and to ensure compliance with any changes or amendments made to the Data Protection Act 1998.
In case of any queries or questions in relation to this policy please contact Metabolic Support Data Protection Officer.
Data collection
Informed consent is when a Data Subject clearly understands why their information is needed, who it will be shared with, the possible consequences of them agreeing or refusing the proposed use of the data and then gives their consent.
Metabolic Support will ensure that data is collected within the boundaries defined in this policy. This applies to data that is collected in person, or by completing a form.
When collecting data, Metabolic Support will ensure that the Data Subject:
Clearly understands why the information is needed
Understands what it will be used for and what the consequences are should the Data Subject decide not to give consent to processing
As far as reasonably possible, grants explicit consent, either written or verbal for data to be processed
Is, as far as reasonably practicable, competent enough to give consent and has given so freely without any duress
Has received sufficient information on why their data is needed and how it will be used
Data Storage
Information and records relating to service users will be stored securely and will only be accessible to authorised staff.
Information will be stored for only as long as it is needed or required statute and will be disposed of appropriately.
It is Metabolic Support’s responsibility to ensure all personal and company data is non-recoverable from any computer system previously used within the organisation, which has been passed on/sold to a third party.
This policy will be updated as necessary to reflect best practice in data management, security and control and to ensure compliance with any changes or amendments made to the Data Protection Act 1998.
Data Subject Access Requests
Members of the public may request certain information from the Local Authority under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Act does not apply to Metabolic Support however if at any time we undertake the delivery of services under contracts with the Local Authority we may be required to assist them to meet the Freedom of Information Act request where we hold information on their behalf.
Disclosure
Metabolic Support may need to share data with other agencies such as the local authority, funding bodies and other voluntary agencies.
The Data Subject will be made aware in most circumstances how and with whom their information will be shared. There are circumstances where the law allows Metabolic Support to disclose data (including sensitive data) without the data subject’s consent.
These are:
- Carrying out a legal duty or as authorised by the Secretary of State
- Protecting vital interests of a Data Subject or other person
- The Data Subject has already made the information public
- Conducting any legal proceedings, obtaining legal advice or defending any legal rights
- Monitoring for equal opportunities purposes – i.e. race, disability or religion
- Providing a confidential service where the Data Subject’s consent cannot be obtained or where it is reasonable to proceed without consent: e.g. where we would wish to avoid forcing stressed or ill Data Subjects to provide consent signatures.
Metabolic Support regards the lawful and correct treatment of personal information as very important to successful working, and to maintaining the confidence of those with whom we deal.
Metabolic Support intends to ensure that personal information is treated lawfully and correctly.
Risk Management
The consequences of breaching Data Protection can cause harm or distress to service users if their information is released to inappropriate people, or they could be denied a service to which they are entitled. Volunteers should be aware that they can be personally liable if they use customers’ personal data inappropriately. This policy is designed to minimise the risks and to ensure that the reputation of Metabolic Support is not damaged through inappropriate or unauthorised access and sharing.
Destroying personal data.
Personal data should only be kept for as long as it is needed i.e. only keep that data for the duration of administering the campaign/project and securely dispose of once the promotion and monitoring period is complete. We will ensure that this information is confidentially destroyed at the end of the relevant retention period.
Data Protection Complaints
Metabolic Support take the privacy and security of your personal data seriously. If you have a concern about how we have collected, used, shared, stored or deleted your personal information – including how we have used any automated tools or AI in a way that affects your personal data – we want to hear from you. We will do our best to put things right.
Your right to complain directly to Metabolic Support is a statutory right under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. You do not need to go to the ICO first – we are your first point of contact, though you are always free to contact the ICO directly if you prefer.
For more information on how to raise a concern about your personal data and guidance on making a complaint please view: Metabolic Support Data Protection Complaints Policy June 2026.
