Case Retention
Scope of this chapter
Important Note:
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA):
This Inquiry and subsequent Judicial Review ended in January 2023. Cumbria County Council SIRO Group agreed in February 2023 that the disposal hold on Children’s Services records could be removed. This meant that both paper and electronic records past their retention period could be confidentially destroyed.
Prior to that, from June 2015 to January 2023, there had been a disposal hold in place following a moratorium issued by the Inquiry on the destruction of records which fell under the terms of reference to the Inquiry. Since February 2023, the Council has been working through the backlog of disposals, and once complete, routine disposals will be resumed. Children’s Services records should be retained in line with the Council Retention and Disposal Schedule, which is also available to the public on the Council website (via the Privacy Notice).
Amendment
This chapter was updated in February 2024 in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
All records have to be kept for a specific period of time. The length of time depends on the type of record. The Council Retention and Disposal Schedule provides advice on the management of Council records, including how long different types of records should be kept, and legislation that guides record creation or retention. This Schedule is regularly updated, so the online version should be referred to, rather than local copies being kept or specific parts being extracted.
The Council Retention and Disposal Schedule has been developed to:
- Promote improved and consistent records management within the Council;
- Identify records worthy of permanent preservation in the archives;
- Prevent the premature or haphazard destruction of records; and
- Provide a consistent approach to the disposal of records.
The case record must be kept secure, and any necessary steps taken to ensure that information contained in it is treated as confidential, subject only to statutory rights of access or court orders granting access.
The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) apply to both paper/manual and electronic records.
Any queries about retention or records please contact: record.centre@cumberland.gov.uk.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024
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