Your social care records - What can't I see?

Some information recorded is exempt from disclosure and you will not be able to see:   

• records we keep about other people (even if you are related to them) unless they give their consent for you to see their records

• information we have received about you from others unless they are a ‘relevant person’ or they give their permission - a ‘relevant person’ under the Data Protection Act 1998 might include a nurse, social worker or doctor

• information which is considered seriously harmful to you or others

• records where a legal professional privilege could be maintained, for example, you would not be able to see legal advice we have sought in relation to your case and

• information held for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime, or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders where your request for this information is likely to prejudice either or both of these purposes

We can refuse access to records, for example, in cases where a person makes another identical or similar request within a short period of time after a previous request to see their records.

If you feel you have been refused access to your records unjustly, you have the right to complain about this decision. For more details, write to: