It is essential to handle information from service users appropriately and confidentially. This means that data collected on individuals under your care must be locked away carefully, ideally in a room with a cabinet that has a lock.
Personal data is protected under the Data Protection Act of 2018. This means that legislation is in place to ensure that information is not misused or given out without the permission of the person whom the data is about. You must respect other people’s data. Otherwise, you may be fined.
GDPR is the law that informs you on what you must do when you handle data. It guides how other companies must hold a piece of individual information. Every business that collects data on people must comply with GDPR. For more information on this, please refer to: https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/all-services/check-way-you-handle-personal-information-meets-right-standards-0, which provides guidelines for care agencies and homes.
Computer data on an individual could be corrupted or stolen, so you must have the correct antivirus and security software to help mitigate breaches. Also, regularly backup user data to prevent data loss if the server that holds the data becomes corrupted or compromised.
There will be an agreed way of working with the employer, along with laws that must be followed. If you wish to learn more about what your company is or should be doing, talk to your care manager or refer to your policies and procedures.
Passwords to computers must be only shared with individuals who have access to data stored on a device, folder, or file. Other information could be accessed by unauthorised individuals that should not have access to a person’s information.
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