Breathe Trust Connect (BTC) Privacy Notice

Previously known as Breaking the Cycle, Breathe Trust Connect (BTC) is a non-statutory, voluntary therapeutic service for birth parents who have experienced a child or children being adopted.

BTC aims to reduce the trauma associated with adoption, preventing future adoptions where possible, building relationships and improving lives. Through a range of different therapeutic interventions, they strive to keep families together, where safe to do so, and offer specialist support to people who are at risk of further care proceedings.

You can find more information on Adopt Birmingham site.

Our details

Birmingham Children’s Trust is the Data Controller for the information held about you for this purpose/these purposes. 

Contact Details:

Birmingham Children Trust 
Information Assurance Team, 
PO Box 17363, 
B2 2EL

Telephone: 0121 569 2200.

The Data Protection Officer can be contacted at the above address and through email at dpo@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk 

Purpose of Processing

BTC provides therapeutic support to adults (birth parents/first family) impacted by the loss of a child through adoption. The service aims to offer trauma-informed interventions to support emotional wellbeing.

Lawful Basis for Processing

  • Article 6(1)(a) – Consent: Individuals provide explicit consent for their data to be processed for therapeutic support.
  • Article 9(2)(h) – Health or Social Care: Processing of special category data is necessary for the provision of health or social care services.

Types of Personal Data Processed

  • Identifiable personal data (name, contact details, family relationships)
  • Special category data (health, emotional wellbeing, therapeutic notes)
  • Referral information from internal Trust services and external partners

Sources of Data

  • Internal referrals: Adopt Birmingham, Children in Care (CIC), and other Trust services
  • External referrals: Midwifery, Change Grow Live (CGL), third sector organisations

Data Sharing

Outbound data sharing is not a business-as-usual activity. Data is only shared:

  • With your explicit consent
  • Under a court order
  • Where there is a safeguarding concern

We will always respect your privacy, and will seek your permission before sharing your record with any other services (other than those referenced above) that you are working with.

Retention and Record Keeping

  • All session records are stored on Eclipse (secure case management system) and retained in line with the Trust’s Retention Schedule.
  • Paper worksheets from therapy sessions are stored in a locked cupboard, scanned to Eclipse, and then destroyed. Paper files are retained for 8 years unless requested by the individual.
  • Video recordings (e.g. VIG, Theraplay  and DDP session bytes) are stored on a restricted-access P: drive, used for clinical supervision, and deleted post-intervention.

Security Measures

  • Access controls and permissions on systems and drives
  • Encryption of sensitive data and secure email practices
  • Regular staff training on data protection and confidentiality
  • System audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities

Your Rights

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, and aligned with the ICO Accountability Framework, individuals have the right to:

  • Withdraw consent at any time
  • Request access to their records
  • Request correction or deletion of inaccurate data
  • Raise concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Contact

For queries or to withdraw consent: btc@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk
For access to records: disclosureteam@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk

For any queries relating to data protection: dpo@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk

How to complain

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

The ICO’s address:           

Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk