Spoons is a charity based in Greater Manchester that supports families who experience neonatal care.
Working collaboratively with NHS Colleagues and others, they deliver a range of services from Peer support networks, Trauma therapy and counselling, online support to community groups.
The aim of the charity is to alleviate stress and reduce the isolation of families and understand and empathise with families due to their personal experiences of neonatal care.
The challenge
They had found and amended information governance and data protection policies from other organisations, which were helpful when they started. But, they felt they were struggling to keep up to date with changes in the legislation.
As Spoons was also introducing new ways of gathering and storing data, they were nervous about ensuring they were compliant with all information legislation.
The solution
They needed expert advice and support for a policy review and due diligence on suppliers, data storage and channels of communications.
The scope of the policy review was for all information and governance policies.
Due diligence was needed to support the use of online systems and provide assurances that data would be safe and secure (as far as possible).
Strategically
Spoons had strategic drivers for this work.
They were bringing in a new Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) and, recruiting staff and volunteers.
They were also applying for funding which required them to provide assurances that:
- data was stored safely; and
- their staff and volunteers knew what was required of them when using this data.
The results
- The existing policies were reviewed and amended to be compliant with the legislation including GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Some additional new policies and procedures were drafted to fill gaps.
- Due diligence was undertaken on the online systems being used. Due Diligence Assurance Statements were written to provide assurances to funders and NHS partners.
These supported the successful funding application. The work also enabled Spoons to widen the range of services they now provide including a service for Dads of the babies in neonatal care.
Spoons and their staff and volunteers are more confident following procedures for use of data.
Why did you choose DTIG?
“We had heard great things when DTIG was highly recommended by someone else.
DTIG has become our ‘go to’ for any Information Governance questions as we know we will get the support we need to move with the times.”
Kirsten Mitchell, Founder and Operations Manager