Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service Privacy Notice

This privacy notice explains how we use personal information when delivering our Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service (DAIPS).

The Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service provides support to people aged 16 and over who have been harmed by domestic abuse, as well as support to children, families, and, where appropriate, individuals who cause harm. The service operates using trauma‑informed principles and works to ensure that responses are safe, sensitive, and tailored to individual needs.

We work closely with statutory partners, voluntary and community sector organisations, health services, housing providers, and criminal justice agencies to prevent domestic abuse, reduce harm, and support recovery. This includes coordinated responses to high‑risk cases, early intervention and prevention initiatives, specialist advocacy, recovery programmes, and statutory partnership activity.

The service includes a range of interventions and support functions, which may include high‑risk front door services, Independent Domestic Violence Adviser (IDVA) support across community, health and housing settings, recovery and group‑based programmes, hospital‑based interventions, MARAC coordination, safe accommodation arrangements, counselling services, and strategic partnership and review activity linked to domestic abuse.

As part of delivering these services, we collect and use personal information to assess needs and risks, plan and coordinate support, safeguard children and adults at risk, meet legal and statutory duties, and monitor and improve service delivery.

This privacy notice sets out what personal information we collect, how and why it is used, where it comes from, who it may be shared with, how long it is kept, and what rights you have under data protection law.

This notice applies to individuals who receive support from the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service and, where relevant, members of their household or family.

Further information about our approach to tackling domestic abuse is available in the Domestic Abuse Strategy published on our website

What information we collect, use, and why

When you engage with the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service, or when we receive information about you through a referral, we collect and use personal information to ensure that we can provide safe, appropriate, and effective support. This information helps us understand your circumstances, assess risk, plan protective actions, coordinate services, and meet our legal and safeguarding duties.

We only collect and use personal information where it is necessary and lawful to do so. The type and amount of information collected will depend on your situation, the service being provided, and whether children or other adults may be at risk.

We categorise the information we collect into the following types.

Personal data

We may collect and use the following personal information where it is relevant and necessary:

Name, address, and contact details:
To identify you, keep in contact with you safely, arrange support, and communicate important information.
Date of birth and age:
To confirm your identity, determine eligibility for services, and ensure appropriate safeguarding responses.
Family, household, and relationship details:
To understand who may be affected by domestic abuse, identify dependants, and assess risks within the household.
Housing and accommodation information:
To support safety planning, access to safe accommodation, housing advice, or sanctuary‑based measures.
Financial and benefit‑related information:
Where relevant, to support access to financial assistance or commissioned support services.
Education or employment details:
Where relevant to safeguarding, recovery, or support planning.
Case records and correspondence:
Including referrals, assessments, safety plans, decisions, actions taken, and outcomes, to ensure continuity of support and accountability.
Images or recordings (limited circumstances):
Photographs, videos, or quotes may only be collected where you have actively chosen to take part in optional activities, such as feedback or service evaluation. This information is not required to deliver statutory services and is handled separately where used.

Special category data

Given the nature of domestic abuse services, we also process special category data where this is necessary to protect individuals and provide appropriate support. This may include:

Physical and mental health information:
Including information about injuries, trauma, mental health, disability, pregnancy, or other health‑related needs, to help us assess risk and coordinate appropriate support.
Information relating to domestic abuse and safeguarding:
Including details about abuse, coercive control, risk factors, vulnerabilities, and protection needs for adults and children.
Racial or ethnic origin:
Where relevant, to ensure equality monitoring and culturally appropriate support.
Religious or cultural beliefs:
Where relevant, to ensure services are delivered sensitively and safely.
Advocacy and support needs:
Including information shared to ensure your views are represented and your safety is prioritised.

Criminal data

In limited and specific circumstances, we may also process criminal data where this is necessary and lawful. This may include:

Information about alleged or known offences:
Including information relating to domestic abuse incidents, criminal investigations, or court outcomes, where relevant to safeguarding, risk management, or public protection.
Information shared by statutory partners:
Such as the police or probation services, where necessary to manage risk and protect individuals from harm.

We do not collect criminal data routinely. Criminal data is only processed where it is necessary, proportionate, and permitted by law, and it is handled with appropriate safeguards in place.

We only collect information that is relevant, necessary, and lawful to deliver the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service and to protect the safety and wellbeing of those affected.

Where your information comes from

We collect personal information from a range of sources to help us provide safe, effective, and coordinated support through the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service.

Wherever possible, we collect information directly from you. This may happen when you contact us yourself, are referred to the service, take part in an assessment, or engage with ongoing support.

In some circumstances, we also receive information from other organisations. This is necessary to assess risk, safeguard individuals, coordinate services, and meet our legal and statutory responsibilities. These sources may include:

Statutory partners:
Including the police, health services (such as NHS providers, GPs, hospitals, and mental health services), children’s services, adult social care, probation services, and housing services.
Other departments within Cheshire West and Chester Council:
Including safeguarding, housing, benefits, education, public health, and community safety services, where information sharing supports joined‑up working and avoids duplication.
Commissioned service providers:
Including voluntary and community sector organisations that deliver domestic abuse support, advocacy, counselling, recovery programmes, or accommodation services on behalf of the Council.
Members of the public and professionals:
Including family members, friends, employers, neighbours, or professionals who make referrals or raise concerns, where this is appropriate and lawful.
Other local authorities or public bodies:
Where individuals move between areas or where information sharing is required to ensure continuity of support or safeguarding.

Information is only collected from these sources where it is relevant, necessary, and lawful to do so. All information received is handled sensitively, securely, and in accordance with data protection legislation.

What your personal information is used for

We use your personal information to provide safe, lawful, and effective support through the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service. Information is only used where it is relevant, necessary, and proportionate to protect individuals, coordinate support, and meet our statutory responsibilities.

Your personal information may be used for the following purposes.

Assessing needs and risk:
To understand your circumstances, identify risk factors, and assess the impact of domestic abuse on you, your children, or other family members. This helps us determine the most appropriate support, interventions, and safety measures.
Safeguarding children and adults at risk:
To protect individuals from harm and take appropriate safeguarding action where there are concerns about the safety or wellbeing of children or adults. This includes working with statutory partners where necessary to reduce risk and prevent further harm.
Providing support and intervention services:
To deliver domestic abuse support services, including advocacy, recovery programmes, counselling, safety planning, access to safe accommodation, and other practical or emotional support. Information is used to tailor services to individual needs and circumstances.
Coordinating multi‑agency responses:
To share relevant information with partners involved in safeguarding and risk management, including participation in multi‑agency arrangements such as Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC). This ensures that high‑risk cases are managed in a coordinated and informed way.
Supporting statutory reviews and duties:
To carry out statutory functions linked to domestic abuse, including contributing to Domestic Homicide Reviews and other legally required reviews where relevant. Information is used strictly in line with statutory guidance and data protection requirements.
Working with partner organisations:
To share information with commissioned services, health partners, housing providers, criminal justice agencies, and other statutory or voluntary organisations where this is necessary to provide support, safeguard individuals, or manage risk.
Managing cases and maintaining records:
To keep accurate and secure records of referrals, assessments, decisions, actions taken, and outcomes. This supports continuity of care, accountability, and the effective management of cases.
Monitoring, reporting, and improving services:
To monitor service delivery, evaluate effectiveness, and meet reporting requirements to commissioners or funding bodies. Where possible, information used for monitoring and performance reporting is anonymised or aggregated.
Responding to enquiries, complaints, and legal matters:
To respond to enquiries, manage complaints, handle information rights requests, and deal with legal or regulatory matters as required.

We do not use your personal information for marketing purposes, and we do not use it in ways that are incompatible with the purposes described above.

Who we share your personal information with

We only share your personal information where it is necessary, lawful, and proportionate to protect individuals, deliver support, or meet our statutory responsibilities. We do not share information more widely than required, and all information sharing takes place in accordance with data protection legislation.

Your personal information may be shared with the following organisations where relevant.

Statutory partners

Including the police, health services (such as NHS providers, hospitals, GPs, and mental health services), children’s services, adult social care, probation services, and housing services. Information is shared to support safeguarding, manage risk, and coordinate responses to domestic abuse.

Multi‑agency safeguarding arrangements:
Including sharing relevant information with appropriate partners through formal arrangements such as Multi‑Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARAC), where this is necessary to manage high‑risk cases and improve safety for adults and children.
Commissioned service providers:
Including voluntary and community sector organisations commissioned to deliver domestic abuse support, advocacy, counselling, recovery programmes, or accommodation services on behalf of us.
Other departments within Cheshire West and Chester Council:
Including housing, benefits, education, public health, community safety, and safeguarding services, where information sharing supports coordinated service delivery and helps avoid duplication.
Health and wellbeing partners:
Where necessary to support access to healthcare, mental health services, substance misuse support, or other health‑related interventions.
Criminal justice agencies:
Including the police and probation services, where information sharing is required to prevent harm, manage risk, support investigations, or comply with legal duties.
Other local authorities or public bodies:
Where individuals move between areas, or where information sharing is required to ensure continuity of safeguarding or support.

Where possible, we share only the minimum information necessary to achieve the purpose. All organisations receiving personal information are required to handle it securely and in accordance with data protection law.

Data processors and systems we use

We use data processors and information systems to support the delivery of the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service and to ensure that personal information is handled securely and efficiently. Data processors act on the Council’s instructions and are not permitted to use personal information for their own purposes.

All data processors used by us are required to:

process personal information only in line with our documented instructions
keep personal information secure and confidential
apply appropriate technical and organisational security measures
restrict access to authorised staff only
comply with data protection legislation and contractual requirements

The main data processors and systems we use for this service include:

Case management systems:
We use secure electronic case management systems to record and manage referrals, assessments, safety plans, support activity, reviews, and outcomes related to domestic abuse services. Access is restricted to authorised staff and partners directly involved in delivering or overseeing support.
Secure communication and information‑sharing systems:
We use approved secure platforms to exchange information with statutory partners and commissioned services where necessary to safeguard individuals, coordinate support, and manage risk.
Cloud hosting and IT service providers:
Council‑approved IT and cloud service providers are used to host systems, store information securely, maintain system resilience, and provide data backups. These providers do not access or use personal data for their own purposes.
Reporting and performance systems:
We use secure reporting and performance monitoring systems to support service oversight, safeguarding assurance, and statutory or funding reporting. Where possible, information used for reporting is aggregated or anonymised and does not create new case records.
Digital tools supporting domestic abuse services:
In some circumstances, we use secure digital tools to coordinate specific domestic abuse interventions, manage documentation, or support communication between professionals involved in a case.

Where information is processed by data processors, we remain the Data Controller and retains overall responsibility for how and why personal information is used.

Data Controller

We are the Data Controller for the personal information processed as part of the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service.

This means we are responsible for deciding how and why your personal information is collected, used, stored, and shared in connection with this service. We are required to ensure that personal information is handled lawfully, fairly, transparently, and securely, and in line with data protection legislation.

Where we work with partner organisations or service providers, they may act either as data processors on our behalf or as separate data controllers in their own right, depending on their role and legal responsibilities. In all cases, information sharing is governed by data protection law and appropriate information‑sharing or contractual arrangements.

If you have any questions about how your personal information is used, or you wish to exercise your data protection rights, you can contact the our Data Protection Officer using the contact details provided later in this notice.

The lawful basis for processing your personal information

We do not rely on consent as the primary lawful basis for processing personal information where it is carrying out its statutory duties and public functions in relation to domestic abuse.

We process personal information for the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service under the following lawful bases.

UK GDPR Article 6(1)(e) – Public task:

Processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority. This includes our responsibilities to prevent domestic abuse, protect and support individuals who are harmed, safeguard children and adults at risk, coordinate multi‑agency responses, and fulfil statutory duties under domestic abuse, safeguarding, housing, and community safety legislation.

UK GDPR Article 6(1)(c) – Legal obligation:

Processing is necessary to comply with legal obligations placed on us. This includes duties relating to safeguarding, domestic abuse support, homelessness and safe accommodation, crime reduction, statutory reviews, and information sharing with relevant authorities.

UK GDPR Article 6(1)(d) – Vital interests:

In limited circumstances, processing may be necessary to protect your vital interests or the vital interests of another person, for example where there is an immediate risk of serious harm and it is not possible to obtain consent.

Use of consent

Consent is not relied upon as the lawful basis for delivering core domestic abuse services. However, consent may be used in limited, optional circumstances, such as participation in non‑statutory activities, feedback, or engagement work. If consent is used, this will be clearly explained to you and you can withdraw it at any time.

Special category data

Given the nature of domestic abuse services, we process special category data where this is necessary and lawful. The conditions we rely on include:

UK GDPR Article 9(2)(g) – Substantial public interest:

Processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest, as supported by Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 2018. This includes processing personal information in order to:

Support individuals with medical conditions, disabilities, trauma, or additional needs.
Safeguard children and adults at risk and manage risk of harm.
Protect physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Promote equality of opportunity and fair access to services.
Carry out statutory and government functions relating to domestic abuse and public protection.

UK GDPR Article 9(2)(h) – Health and social care:

Where relevant, processing is necessary for the provision or management of health or social care support, including helping individuals access healthcare, mental health services, counselling, or wellbeing support.

Criminal data

Where criminal data is processed, this is done in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. Criminal data is only processed where it is necessary and proportionate for safeguarding, risk management, crime prevention, or the protection of individuals, and appropriate safeguards are in place.

Legislation we rely on

When processing personal information for the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service, we rely on a combination of statutory duties, legal powers, and government guidance. These enable us to prevent domestic abuse, safeguard individuals, and provide support to those affected.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following legislation and statutory guidance:

Domestic Abuse Act 2021:
Provides the statutory framework for local authorities to prevent domestic abuse, support victims and survivors, coordinate partnership responses, deliver safe accommodation, and carry out statutory functions such as Domestic Homicide Reviews.
Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004:
Place duties on us to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, work with partner agencies where there are safeguarding concerns, and take action where children may be at risk of harm due to domestic abuse.
Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory guidance):
Sets out how organisations must work together to safeguard children and share information appropriately where there are concerns about abuse or neglect.
Care Act 2014:
Creates duties to safeguard adults with care and support needs, including sharing information where there is a risk of abuse or neglect.
Crime and Disorder Act 1998:
Supports partnership working between local authorities, police, and other agencies to prevent crime, reduce harm, and protect the public.
Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Reduction Act 2017:
Provide legal duties relating to homelessness prevention, housing support, and the provision of safe accommodation for individuals fleeing domestic abuse.

In addition to legislation, we also act in accordance with statutory guidance, national frameworks, and government funding conditions relevant to domestic abuse services.

International Data Transfers

We primarily process and store personal information within the United Kingdom.

In limited circumstances, personal information may be transferred outside the UK. This may occur where overseas organisations are involved in the provision of support, statutory functions, or where information is received from or shared with international partners as part of safeguarding or public protection activity.

Where any international transfer takes place, we ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to protect personal information and individuals’ rights. This includes:

transferring data only to countries recognised as providing an adequate level of data protection, where applicable
using approved legal safeguards, such as International Data Transfer Agreements or standard contractual clauses, where required
applying appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect information during transfer and storage
ensuring transfers are necessary, proportionate, and lawful

We do not routinely transfer personal information outside the UK, and any international transfers are kept under review to ensure compliance with data protection legislation.

How long we keep your information (Retention period)

We only keep personal information for as long as it is necessary to deliver the Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Service and to meet our legal, statutory, and safeguarding obligations.

Personal information is retained in line with our Corporate Retention Schedule and records management policies. Retention periods vary depending on the type of service provided, whether safeguarding concerns are involved, and whether records relate to adults, children, or statutory reviews.

In general, this means:

Records relating to adults affected by domestic abuse:
Information relating to domestic abuse support, advocacy, recovery programmes, counselling, and other interventions for adults is usually retained for up to 7 years after you are no longer receiving support. This allows us to respond to complaints, reviews, audits, and legal matters where required.
Safeguarding and high‑risk case records:
Where records relate to safeguarding concerns, risk management, MARAC involvement, or legal matters, information may be retained for up to 25 years, in line with safeguarding and statutory requirements.
Records relating to children and families:
Where services involve children or young people, records are retained for longer periods to protect rights and support accountability. Depending on the circumstances, this may include retention until a child’s 25th birthday, 31st birthday, or 75th birthday, in line with statutory safeguarding and children’s services requirements.
Safe accommodation and housing‑related records:
Records connected to safe accommodation, refuge provision, or housing support are generally retained for between 7 and 12 years, depending on the nature of the record and any legal agreements involved.
Statutory reviews and partnership activity:
Information used for Domestic Homicide Reviews or other statutory review processes is retained in line with legal and statutory guidance. Some records may be kept for extended periods, and published review reports do not identify individuals unless required by law.
Monitoring, reporting, and research:
Where information is used for service monitoring, performance reporting, or research, it is anonymised wherever possible. Anonymised information may be retained for longer periods for statistical, historical, or public accountability purposes.

Once the relevant retention period has expired, personal information is securely destroyed or anonymised in accordance with our Records Management Policy. Retention periods may be extended where required due to legal proceedings, statutory inquiries, or ongoing safeguarding responsibilities.

Your Rights

The UK GDPR provides you with a several rights to control what personal information is used by us and how it is used by us.

Further guidance about these rights can be accessed from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) website

If you are not happy about the way your personal data is being used, or you require further information about how we process your personal data, you can contact our Data Protection Team:-

Online: Contact the DPO
By post: Data Protection Officer, The Portal, Wellington Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0BA

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office using the following details:

Website: Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Instant Message: Live Chat
By post: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113