Why GDPR Matters for Youth Workers
Youth workers process personal data about children and young people — a category receiving enhanced GDPR protection under UK law. Safeguarding records, family circumstances, health information, and photographs all require careful handling.
Children's Enhanced Protection
Privacy notices must be age-appropriate. Consent processes must be explained at a level young people can understand. Apply extra care for children under 13 — parental consent required for most data processing. Best interests of the child must guide all data decisions.
Photography and Social Media
Explicit written parental consent required before photographing participants. Consent must distinguish between internal, website, and social media use. Never tag children in social media posts. Process removal requests immediately. Review consent annually.
Safeguarding Records
Store with restricted access — designated leads only. Retain until young person's 25th birthday as minimum. Data protection does not prevent sharing for safeguarding purposes — document all safeguarding disclosures with rationale.
Volunteers and Data Protection
Volunteers must use organisational systems — not personal email or WhatsApp. Data protection training required. DBS checks for all with access to young people's data.
How Custodia Can Help
Custodia automates GDPR compliance for youth organisations — privacy policy generation, data subject request management, and ongoing monitoring.
Top comments (0)