Data Protection Complaints
At 1st to Mind, I take your privacy and data protection rights seriously. I am committed to handling your personal information fairly, lawfully, and transparently in accordance with UK data protection legislation.
If you have any concerns about how I collect, store, use, share, or protect your personal information, including counselling records, assessment information, correspondence, or session notes, I encourage you to contact me directly so that I can understand and address your concerns. Complaints can be submitted in writing by email to: Jon Simons 1st to Mind Email: 1st.to.mind@gmail.com
The complaint process
When a data protection complaint is received, I will:
• Acknowledge your complaint within 30 calendar days of receipt.
• Review and investigate the concerns raised.
• Request further information where necessary to fully understand the issue.
• Keep you informed of the progress of the investigation where appropriate.
• Consider whether any corrective action is required.
• Provide a written response outlining the outcome of the investigation and any actions taken. I aim to resolve complaints as quickly as possible and without undue delay.
The time required to investigate a complaint may vary depending on its complexity; however, I will keep you informed if additional time is required. Where appropriate, I may seek independent professional advice regarding data protection obligations to ensure that complaints are considered fairly and in line with current legal requirements.
Escalating to the ICO
If, following my response, you remain dissatisfied with the outcome, you have the right to raise your concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s independent authority responsible for upholding information rights. Information about how to contact the ICO can be found at:
Website: https://www.ico.org.uk
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
The ICO generally expects individuals to give organisations an opportunity to address and resolve concerns before escalating a complaint. For this reason, I encourage you to contact me in the first instance wherever possible. This complaints process forms part of my commitment to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and security of the personal information entrusted to me through my counselling and psychotherapy practice.