Fair Processing Notice (FPN)

Personal data about children in need are held by local authorities (LAs) providing services to them. From April 2009 onwards, these data will be passed on to the DCSF in the new annual Children in Need (CIN) Census. Data on children looked after are already passed on to the DCSF on an annual basis (Children Looked After SSDA903 return).

The guidance notes on the preparation and issue of a Fair Processing Notice provide suggested text for LAs to include when sending notices to children in need or children looked after and/or their parents or carers. This text sets out in general terms what the DCSF does with the data.

The FPN guidance has been drafted to reflect the law at the date of publication. This is DCSF's interpretation of the law; the guidance is not intended as a substitute for legal advice, and the point of contact for LAs for such advice will remain the LA's legal department or relevant legal adviser.

The FPN suggested text is not being offered by the DCSF in languages other than English to ensure that LAs can efficiently determine and respond to local needs, often working in collaboration with neighbouring LAs with similar needs.

The collection of data on children looked after as part of the annual SSDA903 data collection, and of data on children in need as part of the new annual CIN Census planned for the 2008-09 financial year, involves 150 LAs in England.

The DCSF has issued to the Directors of Social Services and other contacts in the 150 LAs:

• A letter from the DCSF to each LA explaining what the LA needs to do and why.
• Guidance notes on the preparation and issuing of a FPN. This includes suggested insertions to the LA's own text to be issued to the parents or carers of children in need and children looked after under the age of 12, and to children in need and children looked after who are over age 12 as well as to their parents or carers. It also includes a summary of actions the LA needs to take.

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Page updated: 7 Jul 2008