Privacy Notice

Effective date: 05/07/2026 Business name: Joanna Brown Speech & Language Therapy Contact email: joanna@joannabrownslt.co.uk

1. Who I am

Joanna Brown Speech & Language Therapy provides independent speech and language therapy services. I am the data controller responsible for how your personal data is used.

2. What information I collect

To provide safe and effective therapy, I may collect and process the following information:

  • Parent / Carer Information: Name and contact details (email, phone number, home address).

  • Child Information: Name, date of birth, health, developmental and educational background, assessment results, therapy notes, and reports.

  • Administrative Information: Appointment details, communication records (emails, messages), and payment/invoicing information.

3. How your information is collected

Your information is securely collected when you:

  • Contact me via the website, email, or phone.

  • Complete intake forms, case histories, or consent forms.

  • Engage in therapy sessions, consultations, or assessments.

4. Why I use your information (Purpose and Lawful Basis)

I use your data to:

  • Provide tailored speech and language therapy services.

  • Communicate with you regarding appointments, progress, and care.

  • Write reports and share relevant information (e.g., with schools and other healthcare professionals, strictly with your consent).

  • Manage business administration and accounting.

Lawful bases under UK GDPR:

  • Contract: To fulfill our agreement and provide the requested services.

  • Legitimate Interests: To run and manage the private practice effectively.

  • Healthcare Provision: For processing health-related (special category) data to provide care.

5. Sharing your information

Your information is treated with strict confidentiality. It may be shared with:

  • Schools, nurseries, or educators (where relevant and agreed upon).

  • Other professionals involved in your child’s care (only with explicit consent).

  • Trusted service providers (e.g., secure email hosting, cloud storage, accounting software) who are also compliant with data protection laws.

I will never sell or share your personal data for marketing purposes.

6. How your data is stored

Your data is stored securely to prevent unauthorized access, using:

  • Password-protected and encrypted systems.

  • Secure cloud storage environments.

  • Professional, secure email systems.

Only necessary information is retained, and access is strictly limited to the data controller.

7. How long I keep your data

I retain records in line with professional guidance from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and UK healthcare record-keeping standards:

  • Children’s Records: Typically retained until the child reaches age 25 (or 26 if they were 17 at the conclusion of therapy).

  • Young People (seen aged 16 or over): Retained for 8 years after the conclusion of care.

  • Adults: Retained for 8 years after the conclusion of care.

After the relevant retention period expires, records are securely deleted or destroyed. In exceptional circumstances, records may be kept longer if there is a legal or safeguarding obligation to do so.

8. Your rights

Under UK data protection law, you have the right to:

  • Access your data (request a copy of the personal data I hold).

  • Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

  • Delete your data (in certain circumstances).

  • Restrict or object to the processing of your data.

  • Transfer your data to another service provider.

  • Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the lawful basis for processing).

To exercise any of these rights, please contact me directly at: joanna@joannabrownslt.co.uk.

If you have concerns about how your data is handled, you also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

9. Cookies and website data

If you use the website, basic analytical data (such as IP addresses and browsing behavior) may be collected to help improve the site's functionality and user experience.

10. Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy notice or how your data is handled, please get in touch: Email: joanna@joannabrownslt.co.uk

11. Updates to this notice

This privacy notice may be updated from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements or business practices. The latest version will always be available on the website.