Smart Speech Therapy is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

This policy applies to clients, parents/carers, referrers, and visitors to our website.

1. Who We Are

Smart Speech Therapy provides speech and language therapy services for children and adults, including private and medico-legal services.

Data Controller: Smart Speech Therapy

Contact Email: enquiries@smartspeechtherapy.co.uk

2. What Information We Collect

We may collect and process the following types of personal data:

Personal Information

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Date of birth

Clinical Information (Special Category Data)

• Referral details
• Medical and developmental history
• Assessment results
• Therapy notes and reports
• Correspondence related to care

Other Information

• Information provided via contact forms or emails
• Payment and invoicing details
• Information required for medico-legal reports (where applicable)

3. How We Collect Your Information

We collect information through:

• Self-referrals
• Parents or carers
• Case managers
• Solicitors
• Other healthcare or education professionals
• Direct contact via email, phone, or website contact forms

4. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used to:

• Provide speech and language therapy services
• Assess, plan, and deliver therapy
• Communicate regarding appointments, reports, and care
• Maintain accurate clinical records
• Prepare reports, including medico-legal reports where required
• Manage billing and payments
• Meet legal, professional, and regulatory obligations

5. Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data under the following lawful bases:

• Consent – where explicit consent is required
• Provision of Health or Social Care – for clinical data
• Legal Obligation – for record-keeping and compliance
• Legitimate Interests – for service delivery and communication

Special category data (health information) is processed under Article 9 of UK GDPR for the provision of health care.

6. Sharing Your Information

We only share personal data when necessary and appropriate. This may include sharing with:

• Parents or carers (for child clients)
• Case managers
• Solicitors
• Other healthcare or education professionals
• Administrative or financial services (e.g. invoicing)

Information is shared only:

• With appropriate consent, or
• Where there is a legal or professional obligation

We do not sell or share your data for marketing purposes.

7. Data Storage and Security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• Secure electronic storage
• Password-protected systems
• Restricted access to personal information

Personal data is retained only for as long as required in line with professional guidelines, legal requirements, and insurance obligations.

8. Online Therapy and Digital Communication

Where online therapy is provided, sessions are conducted using secure platforms.
Email communication may be used for appointment scheduling and service-related communication.

Clients should be aware that no digital communication method is entirely risk-free, although reasonable steps are taken to ensure confidentiality.

9. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of data (subject to legal obligations)
• Restrict or object to processing
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the lawful basis)

Requests can be made by contacting us using the details below.

10. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how your data has been handled, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

Website: www.ico.org.uk

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or services. The most recent version will always be available on our website.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:

Smart Speech Therapy
Email: enquiries@smartspeechtherpy.co.uk