Access to personal records - Data Protection

skylight

Am really not sure where to post this!

Basically, OH was under the care of Social Services in his infancy and we want to know why. His mother is not forthcoming in any details (wont even tell him his fathers name!) so we are doing some digging.

Can he have access to records under the data protection act? We are talking 1973 era here so would the act cover that period?? Any other act he could use to gather his records??

We are asking as we want to know the facts before we call social services.


Help, as always, is appreciated!!

clutterbunny

My dad was fostered in the 50s. He wanted some info and all he had to do (I think) is write to the social services that placed him with the foster parents and they sent him a copy of the file they had on him.
Give them a ring and I am sure they will tell him how to access his file.

CB

Js_Other_Half

As clutterbunny says, he has a right to see his entire file. They may take a little while to sort it out, as they have to take out 'third party' information eg where a report from a neighbour names them etc - they must have consent to pass on that sort of thing. Everything else - social workers records, court stuff, etc he will be able to see.
Currently, I think all social service records around fostering and adoption must be kept for 75 years, but I'm not sure how long they were kept in the past.
I don't know what area you live in, but this info from cheshire county council will apply to most areas.
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/about/SocialServicesRecords.htm

hth