When you contact us for housing-related support, or when we refer you to Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire (CASES), we will collect personal information about you. This may include your name, address, contact details, financial information, housing circumstances and any other information relevant to the support you need.
We collect and use this information to assess your circumstances, provide tenancy sustainment support, prevent homelessness, help you maintain your tenancy, and coordinate support services where appropriate.
How we will use your information
Lichfield District Council and Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire (CASES) work together to provide tenancy sustainment services.
Information may be shared between the council's customer services team, housing teams and CASES to:
- assess your support needs
- arrange appropriate advice and assistance
- support you to sustain your tenancy and prevent homelessness
- coordinate actions and support plans
- monitor the effectiveness of services provided
- meet our legal and statutory duties
We process your personal information under our public task powers and statutory responsibilities relating to housing, homelessness prevention and safeguarding. Where special category information is processed, such as information relating to your physical or mental health, this will only be used where necessary to provide support, comply with legal obligations, protect your vital interests, or establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
Who we may share your information with
Information will be shared between Lichfield District Council and Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire (CASES) where necessary to provide tenancy sustainment support.
Depending on your circumstances, we may also share information with:
- housing providers and registered social landlords
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- social care services
- health professionals
- support agencies and voluntary sector organisations
- safeguarding partners
- community safety partners
- the police and other law enforcement agencies where required by law
- organisations providing services on behalf of the council or CASES
We will only share information where there is a lawful basis to do so and where it is necessary and proportionate for the support being provided.
How long we keep your information
We will only keep your information for as long as necessary to provide support, fulfil our legal obligations, resolve queries and comply with retention requirements. Information will then be securely deleted or destroyed in accordance with our retention policies.
Your rights
You have a number of rights regarding your personal information, which may include:
- the right to access your personal information
- the right to have inaccurate information corrected
- the right to request restriction of processing
- the right to object to certain processing activities
- the right to request erasure of your information in certain circumstances
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact Lichfield District Council on 01543 308000.
Providing your information
Providing personal information is voluntary. However, if you do not provide information that is necessary for us to assess your circumstances and provide support, we may be unable to offer the full range of tenancy sustainment services available.
Who is the data controller?
Lichfield District Council, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6YY, telephone: 01543 308000
Citizens Advice South East Staffordshire (CASES) acts as a service delivery partner and will process personal information received from the council, and information collected directly from you, in accordance with data protection legislation.
Complaints
Please speak to a member of the housing team initially or our Data Protection Officer but if you have any concerns about the way we have processed your personal information then you can contact the Information Commissioner.
They can be contacted at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Contact the ICO.