- What information do we collect from visitors to the website?
- Log files
- Feedback
- Cookies
- The Data Protection Act
- Obtaining information
- Disclosure of information
- Changes to this privacy policy
What information do we collect from visitors to the website?
We collect two kinds of information from visitors to the CSA website: feedback (through visitors emailing us) and site usage information from log files.
Page topLog files
Log files allow us to record visitors' use of the site. The log files do not hold any personal information that can be used to identify you. We use this information to make changes to the layout of the website and to the information in it.
Page topFeedback
We welcome your comments about this website. The Internet Team do not have access to any case records; if you want to make an enquiry or send information about your case then you should contact the centre that deals with it. You can find our contact details here.
Once we have replied to you, we keep a record of your message for reference and audit purposes.
Page topCookies
Cookies are pieces of data that are often created when you visit a website, and which are stored in the cookie directory on your computer.
The cookies that we use cannot be used to identify you and they don't record personal information about you. You can set your computer to accept all cookies, or to notify you when a cookie is issued, or not to receive cookies at any time.
Page topThe Data Protection Act
The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission and Child Support Agency understands the concerns around the collection and use of personal information.
The Commission has an obligation to ensure that clients have enough information to fully understand the assessment, collection and enforcement of their child maintenance and to protect any personal information that is not essential to that understanding.
For more information on the Commission's use of Data write to:
Data Protection UnitAlnwick House, Room BP6002
Benton Park View, Benton Park Road
Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1YX
Further information about the Data Protection Act can be found on the Information Commissioner's website.
The following information can be disclosed to Child Support Agency clients:
- Information relating to the processing of their case including whether enough information has been supplied to make an assessment
- whether maintenance has been paid
- what enforcement action is intended (if any).
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Obtaining information
The Child Support Agency obtains information from and about non-resident parents and parents with care under statutory powers. For example the Child Support (Information) Regulations 2008 gives the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission powers to obtain certain information from, amongst others, the relevant parties, employers and local authorities.
Page topDisclosure of information
Where a disclosure of information is required or allowed by law the disclosure will not be in breach of the Data Protection Act 1998.
This will be the case even though the client may object to the disclosure of their personal information or may not have provided any specific permission to disclose the information.
For example Regulation 13 of the Child Support (Information) Regulations 2008 permits the disclosure of information given by one party in a child support case to the other party in certain circumstances.
Section 35 of the Data Protection Act 1998 permits the disclosure of information in any case where the disclosure is required by or under any enactment, by any rule of law or by the order of a court.
If you want to know more about what information we have about you, or the way we use your information see Data Protection Act 1998.
Page topChanges to this privacy policy
If this privacy policy changes in any way, we will place an updated version on this page. Regularly reviewing this page ensures you are always aware of what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we will share it with other parties.
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