Channel is a multi-agency safeguarding programme run in every local authority in England and Wales.
It focuses on early intervention to protect vulnerable people from being radicalised and help them avoid being drawn into extremism and terrorism. A multi-agency panel meets regularly and includes representatives from a number of agencies including but not limited to NHS, social workers, children’s and adults safeguarding, youth offending services, housing and the police. It provides a range of support such as mentoring, counselling and assistance with education, employment and training.
Data controller for this processing
The panel members of Channel are data controllers.
Whose data are we processing and why
The panel will be processing the details of individuals who have accepted onto the Channel programme.
We only collect and share the minimum amount of personal information required for the purposes of the early intervention. This includes but is not limited to the following:
- information about you - this will include your name, address, date of birth
- information about your family and social circumstances
- physical and / or mental health details (where appropriate)
This information is shared for the following reasons:
- to ensure you are safeguarded from harm
- to fulfil our legal obligation for the delivery of Channel duties which are set out in Section 36 of the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015 (CTSA)
- to identify local trends and patterns to inform future practice and support
Leeds City Council’s Prevent Team may use information from your case to produce case studies to reflect learning and successes of the Channel programme. We will ensure your personal data is anonymised if used for this purpose.
Legal basis for our use of your personal information
The processing of personal data for the Channel Programme is necessary to meet our legal obligation as set out in Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. It places a statutory Prevent duty on specified authorities in the exercise of their functions, to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’.
The sharing of personal data between Channel partners is necessary for the delivery of Channel duties which are set out in Section 36 of the Counterterrorism and Security Act 2015. It enables partner agencies to safeguard vulnerable individuals from the threat of radicalisation and extremism and the public from the threat of all forms of extremism/ terrorism.
For the sharing of information with Channel partners the council is relying on the following legal basis as set out in the UK GDPR:
Article 6.1(e) - processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
Article 9(2)(g) Article 9.2(g) - processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest; and meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, Schedule 1, Part 1, paragraph 6.
How long we keep your personal information
Your data will be stored for 6 years from the date your case is no longer on the programme. Following the closure of your case, all Channel cases are reviewed at 6 months and 12 months. You are no longer on the programme once the 12 month review is complete. After this it will automatically be deleted. Statistical information which does not identify you may be held for longer for reporting purposes.
Changes to this privacy notice
We keep our privacy notice under regular review. This privacy notice was last updated on 10 August 2021.
