This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7345533.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Sensitive data 'lost by councils' | Sensitive data 'lost by councils' |
| (1 day later) | |
| Personal data about members of the public has been lost or wrongly revealed by 13 London councils in the last year, a BBC survey has found. | Personal data about members of the public has been lost or wrongly revealed by 13 London councils in the last year, a BBC survey has found. |
| Some 23 councils replied to the freedom of information request, with more than half saying data had been lost, stolen or inadvertently disclosed. | Some 23 councils replied to the freedom of information request, with more than half saying data had been lost, stolen or inadvertently disclosed. |
| In one instance, sensitive information about children in care was stolen when a youth worker took files into a bar. | In one instance, sensitive information about children in care was stolen when a youth worker took files into a bar. |
| The Local Government Association said new guidelines were being produced. | The Local Government Association said new guidelines were being produced. |
| Disciplinary action | Disciplinary action |
| The research for BBC Radio 5 Live's Donal MacIntyre programme found that in 2007 a social worker from Kensington and Chelsea Council took personal files home to prepare for a court hearing. | The research for BBC Radio 5 Live's Donal MacIntyre programme found that in 2007 a social worker from Kensington and Chelsea Council took personal files home to prepare for a court hearing. |
| But the files containing court reports and a review of a statement of special educational needs were stolen from a bag while they were in a pub. | But the files containing court reports and a review of a statement of special educational needs were stolen from a bag while they were in a pub. |
| In another case four months later, a notebook containing the names and addresses of 12 young people in care was stolen from a Kensington and Chelsea Council youth worker while he was in a bar after work. | In another case four months later, a notebook containing the names and addresses of 12 young people in care was stolen from a Kensington and Chelsea Council youth worker while he was in a bar after work. |
| Some social services departments and some social workers have quite a careless attitude towards these documents Dr Jim GoddardCare Leavers' Association | Some social services departments and some social workers have quite a careless attitude towards these documents Dr Jim GoddardCare Leavers' Association |
| A spokesman for the council insisted it took the security of personal data "extremely seriously". | A spokesman for the council insisted it took the security of personal data "extremely seriously". |
| "Where it is clear our policies have not been correctly followed we always undertake a management investigation and disciplinary action is taken when appropriate," he added. | "Where it is clear our policies have not been correctly followed we always undertake a management investigation and disciplinary action is taken when appropriate," he added. |
| Meanwhile, the survey found 375 student files were stolen from Havering Council in October 2007. | Meanwhile, the survey found 375 student files were stolen from Havering Council in October 2007. |
| They contained copies of birth certificates and parents' P60 annual tax statements for students applying for grants for higher education. | They contained copies of birth certificates and parents' P60 annual tax statements for students applying for grants for higher education. |
| 'Careless attitude' | 'Careless attitude' |
| The council said the papers were stored outside in a secure metal container before incineration and suggested the container was the target of the theft. | The council said the papers were stored outside in a secure metal container before incineration and suggested the container was the target of the theft. |
| Dr Jim Goddard of the Care Leavers' Association branded the cases "appalling", adding: ¿Some social services departments and some social workers have quite a careless attitude towards these documents. | |
| "Many of them just don't appreciate how important and sensitive they are.¿ | |
| Tim Allen of the Local Government Association emphasised that data security was very important to local government. | Tim Allen of the Local Government Association emphasised that data security was very important to local government. |
| The LGA is now working to produce new guidelines for councils following the major loss of child benefit data by Revenue and Customs. | The LGA is now working to produce new guidelines for councils following the major loss of child benefit data by Revenue and Customs. |
| Results of the survey were featured in the Donal MacIntyre programme on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday 13 April. Download the programme podcast at www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive | Results of the survey were featured in the Donal MacIntyre programme on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday 13 April. Download the programme podcast at www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive |