Evaluation of the EHE statutory guidance and the CME database pilot: EHE interviews

The Welsh Government has commissioned OB3, in association with Miller Research, to evaluate the elective home education (EHE) statutory guidance and the children missing education (CME) database pilot. The first part of this evaluation aims to explore how effective the EHE statutory guidance is in supporting local authorities to carry out their duties in relation to EHE. The second part aims to understand to what extent have the CME database regulations been effective in assisting the pilot local authorities to identify CME.

As part of the fieldwork stage of the evaluation, OB3 and Miller Research wish to speak to stakeholders in local authorities working on EHE matters (e.g. EHE Lead Officers, Safeguarding Officers, Head of Access/Inclusion services and school practitioners) via interviews to understand the delivery and effectiveness of the EHE statutory guidance and whether any amendments are needed to further develop the guidance.

The Welsh Government is the data controller for the research. However, OB3 and Miller Research will delete any personal data before information is shared with the Welsh Government. The information collected during the project will be included in a report published on the Welsh Government website, by OB3, Miller Research, and the Welsh Government.

Your participation in this research is completely voluntary. However, your views and experiences are important in order to help inform Welsh Government policies.

The contact for this research at OB3 is Heledd Bebb

Telephone number: 07815 772242

Email address: heledd.bebb@ob3research.co.uk

PRIVACY NOTICE

What personal data do we hold and where do we get this information?

Personal data is defined under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) as ‘any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to an identifier’.

OB3 and Miller Research have your name and email address because:

  • they were provided by the Welsh Government who hold your information because of your involvement with them regarding the EHE statutory guidance.

  • or your were asked to take part by your local authority and they passed on your contact details with your agreement.

OB3 and Miller Research will only use your contact details for the purposes of contacting you as part of this research project. You will be contacted to arrange an interview. You may also be invited to take part in a further interview or workshop later on in the research, and if this is the case this will be covered in a separate privacy notice.

Your participation is voluntary and if you do not wish to take part or be sent reminders at any stage then please reply to the invitation email and your details will be removed.

This research does not require the collection of additional personal data from you, other than your image if you agree to a video recording of the interview.

We may need to record interviews for operational reasons.  If this is the case, we will make this clear to you before the interview begins, and you will have the opportunity to tell us if you are not happy for it to be recorded. If interviews are recorded, personal data will be removed during the process of transcribing discussions. Recordings will be deleted as soon as this process is completed. If interviews are not recorded, personal data will not be included in written notes prepared during or following the interviews.

If you raise a query or complaint and provide personal data requesting a response, the researcher will forward the request only to the relevant official and subsequently delete it from the research data.

What is the lawful basis for using your data?

The lawful basis for processing information in this data collection exercise is our public task; that is, exercising our official authority to undertake the core role and functions of the Welsh Government.

Participation is completely voluntary. Research studies such as this are important for the Welsh Government to collect information and actionable evidence about its ability to deliver government priorities. The information collected in this research, for example, might be used to:

  • understand the delivery of the EHE statutory guidance

  • suggest further stakeholders to engage with the research

  • explore the effectiveness of the EHE statutory guidance

How secure is your personal data?

Personal information provided to OB3 and Miller Research by the Welsh Government is always stored on a secure server. The data can only be accessed by a limited number of researchers working on this project. OB3 and Miller Research will only use this data for research purposes. OB3 and Miller Research have Cyber Essentials certification.

OB3 and Miller Research, have procedures to deal with any suspected data security breaches. If a suspected breach occurs, OB3 will report this to the Welsh Government who will notify you and any applicable regulator where there is a legal requirement to do so.

OB3 and Miller Research will use the information gathered to produce a report that will be published on the Welsh Government website. This report will not include any information that could be used to identify individual participants.

How long do we keep any personal data?

OB3 and Miller Research will hold personal data during the contract period, and any personal data not already removed during transcription will be deleted by both contractors three months after the end of the contract. This includes your contact details.

Individual rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the following rights in relation to the personal information you provide as part of this evaluation. You have the right:

  • To access a copy of your own data;

    • For us to rectify inaccuracies in that data;

    • To object to or restrict processing (in certain circumstances);

    • For your data to be ‘erased’ (in certain circumstances); and

  • To lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) who is our independent regulator for data protection.

The contact details for the Information Commissioner’s Office are: Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF. Phone: 0303 123 1113. Website: www.ico.org.uk

Further Information

If you have any further questions about how the data provided as part of this study will be used by the Welsh Government or wish to exercise your rights using the UK General Data Protection Regulation, please contact:

Name: Zoe Williams

Email address: zoe.williams002@gov.wales

The Welsh Government’s Data Protection Officer can be contacted at:

Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ

Email: DataProtectionOfficer@gov.wales.