The Old Vicarage Privacy Policy  


Introduction


This Privacy Policy explains how The Old Vicarage (“we”, “our”, or “the Home”) collects, uses, and protects information from people who access our website at www.macdonaldcare.co.uk (“Site”) or otherwise share personal information with us (referred to as “users”).

We are committed to protecting the privacy, dignity, and rights of our residents, staff, visitors, and website users. We ensure that personal information is always handled with respect, confidentiality, and dignity. Our practices comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), and our regulatory responsibilities under the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The Old Vicarage Care Home is the data controller responsible for your personal information.


Grounds for data collection 

We process personal information (meaning any information that can identify an individual) because it is necessary for us to provide safe, effective, and personalised care. This includes:

  • Delivering our care services and responding to enquiries from residents, families, and visitors 
  • Meeting our legal and regulatory obligations, including CQC requirements 
  • Protecting the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff, and visitors 
  • Supporting safeguarding, security, and the use of CCTV for safety purposes 
  • Fulfilling our legitimate interest in running a safe, well-managed, and effective care service 

By using our Site or engaging with our services, you acknowledge and consent to the collection and use of your information as outlined in this Privacy Policy.


What information we collect?

We collect two types of data and information to help us provide a safe, effective service and to improve how our website works. Some of this information helps us understand how people use our website, while other information allows us to respond to enquiries and communicate with you.

The first type of information is non-identifiable information about how people use our Site (‘Non-personal Information’). This does not identify you personally. Non-personal information we collect includes:

  • Device type, browser, and operating system
  • Language preferences
  • Access times and pages viewed
  • Website usage and interaction data


This information is used to improve the functionality and performance of our Site.

The second type of information is Personal Information, which is individually identifiable information. Such information includes:


  • Name, email address, and telephone number
  • Information submitted via contact forms
  • IP address and device identifiers
  • Records of communication with us


We may also collect visual images through CCTV systems operating within the care home premises (see CCTV Monitoring section below).


How do we receive information about you?

We receive your Personal Information from various sources:

  • When you voluntarily provide us your personal details when arranging a visit. 
  • When you use or access our Site in connection with your use of our services.
  • From third party providers, services and public registers (for example, traffic analytics vendors).


How we use your information

We do not rent, sell, or share Users’ information with third parties except as described in this Privacy Policy.

We may use the information for the following:

  • Communicating with you – sending you notices regarding our services, providing you with technical information and responding to any customer service issue you may have;
  • To communicate with you and to keep you informed of our latest updates and services;
  • To provide relevant information about our services or third-party services you may find useful.
  • To market our websites and products (see more under "Marketing"); 
  • Conducting statistical and analytical purposes, intended to improve the Site.
  • Respond to enquiries and provide information about our services
  • Support safeguarding and ensure the safety of individuals within our care
  • Meet legal and regulatory requirements


We may also disclose information if we have good faith to believe that disclosure of such information is helpful or reasonably necessary to: (i) comply with any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request; (ii) enforce our policies (including our Agreement), including investigations of potential violations thereof; (iii) investigate, detect, prevent, or take action regarding illegal activities or other wrongdoing, suspected fraud or security issues; (iv) to establish or exercise our rights to defend against legal claims; (v) prevent harm to the rights, property or safety of us, our users, yourself or any third party; or (vi) for the purpose of collaborating with law enforcement agencies and/or in case we find it necessary in order to enforce intellectual property or other legal rights.


CCTV Monitoring

The Old Vicarage Care Home operates CCTV systems within the premises to support the safety, security, and wellbeing of residents, staff, and visitors.

CCTV may capture images of individuals in and around the home. This information is used for:

  • Safeguarding residents and staff
  • Preventing and detecting incidents
  • Supporting investigations where necessary
  • Maintaining a safe and secure environment

The use of CCTV is based on our legitimate interests and our duty to meet health, safety, and regulatory obligations.

All CCTV footage is:

  • Stored securely
  • Accessed only by authorised personnel
  • Retained for a limited period in line with our data retention policy, unless required for investigation

CCTV is used in a proportionate and respectful manner, ensuring individuals’ privacy and dignity are maintained at all times.

Clear signage is displayed throughout the home to ensure individuals are aware that CCTV is in operation.

If you have any questions about CCTV or wish to exercise your data protection rights in relation to CCTV footage, please contact us using the details below.


User Rights

You may request to: 

  1. Receive confirmation as to whether or not personal information concerning you is being processed, and access your stored personal information, together with supplementary information. 
  2. Receive a copy of personal information you directly volunteer to us in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. 
  3. Request rectification of your personal information that is in our control.
  4. Request erasure of your personal information. 
  5. Object to the processing of personal information by us. 
  6. Request to restrict processing of your personal information by us.
  7. Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

However, please note that these rights are not absolute, and may be subject to our own legitimate interests and regulatory requirements.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights, or receive more information, please contact our Registered Manager using the details provided below:

Gabrielle Macdonald 

enquiries@macdonaldcare.co.uk

01204 594 736


Retention

We will retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services, and as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies. Retention periods will be determined taking into account the type of information that is collected and the purpose for which it is collected, bearing in mind the requirements applicable to the situation and the need to destroy outdated, unused information at the earliest reasonable time. Under applicable regulations, we will keep records containing client personal data, account opening documents, communications and anything else as required by applicable laws and regulations. We aim to retain information only for as long as necessary and in line with relevant guidance and legal requirements.

We may rectify, replenish or remove incomplete or inaccurate information, at any time and at our own discretion.


Cookies

We and our trusted partners use cookies and other technologies in our related services, including when you visit our Site or access our services. 

We use cookies and Google Analytics to improve our website experience and understand how the Site is used. No personal data is shared with Google.

A "cookie" is a small piece of information that a website assign to your device while you are viewing a website. Cookies are very helpful and can be used for various different purposes. These purposes include allowing you to navigate between pages efficiently, enable automatic activation of certain features, remembering your preferences and making the interaction between you and our Services quicker and easier. Cookies are also used to help ensure that the advertisements you see are relevant to you and your interests and to compile statistical data on your use of our Services. 

The Site uses the following types of cookies:


a. 'session cookies' which are stored only temporarily during a browsing session in order to allow normal use of the system and are deleted from your device when the browser is closed; 


b. 'persistent cookies ' which are read only by the Site, saved on your computer for a fixed period and are not deleted when the browser is closed. Such cookies are used where we need to know who you are for repeat visits, for example to allow us to store your preferences for the next sign-in; 


c. 'third party cookies' which are set by other online services who run content on the page you are viewing, for example by third party analytics companies who monitor and analyze our web access.



Cookies do not contain any information that personally identifies you, but Personal Information that we store about you may be linked, by us, to the information stored in and obtained from cookies. You may remove the cookies by following the instructions of your device preferences; however, if you choose to disable cookies, some features of our Site may not operate properly and your online experience may be limited.

We also use a tool called “Google Analytics” to collect information about your use of the Site. Google Analytics collects information such as how often users access the Site, what pages they visit when they do so, etc. We use the information we get from Google Analytics only to improve our Site and services. Google Analytics collects the IP address assigned to you on the date you visit sites, rather than your name or other identifying information. We do not combine the information collected through the use of Google Analytics with personally identifiable information. Google’s ability to use and share information collected by Google Analytics about your visits to this Site is restricted by the Google Analytics Terms of Use and the Google Privacy Policy.


Third party collection of information

Our policy only addresses the use and disclosure of information we collect from you. To the extent you disclose your information to other parties or sites throughout the internet, different rules may apply to their use or disclosure of the information you disclose to them. Accordingly, we encourage you to read the terms and conditions and privacy policy of each third party that you choose to disclose information to. 


This Privacy Policy does not apply to the practices of companies that we do not own or control, or to individuals whom we do not employ or manage, including any of the third parties which we may disclose information as set forth in this Privacy Policy. 


How do we safeguard your information?

At The Old Vicarage Care Home, we take the security of personal information seriously and have measures in place to protect it.

We use secure systems to store information and ensure that access is limited to authorised staff only. Staff receive training on data protection, confidentiality, and safeguarding to ensure information is handled appropriately and respectfully.

We have policies and procedures in place to prevent unauthorised access, loss, or misuse of information, and we regularly review these to ensure they remain effective. Any third parties we work with are also required to meet appropriate data protection and security standards.

While we take all reasonable steps to protect personal information, no system can be completely secure, and we cannot guarantee the prevention of all unauthorised access.


Transfer of data outside the UK

Please note that some data recipients may be located outside the UK. In such cases we will transfer your data only to such countries as approved by the European Commission as providing adequate level of data protection or enter into legal agreements ensuring an adequate level of data protection. We generally keep all personal data within the UK. If data is transferred outside the UK, we ensure adequate protections are in place.


Marketing

We may use your Personal Information, such as your name, email address, telephone number, etc. ourselves or by using our third-party subcontractors for the purpose of providing you with information about our services that may be relevant to you.

Out of respect to your right to privacy we provide you within such marketing materials with means to decline receiving further marketing offers from us. If you unsubscribe, we will remove your email address or telephone number from our marketing distribution lists. 


Please note that even if you have unsubscribed from receiving marketing emails from us, we may send you other types of important e-mail communications without offering you the opportunity to opt out of receiving them. These may include customer service announcements or administrative notices.


Advertisements

We may show advertisements on our Site to help fund our services. These may use cookies or similar technologies to make ads relevant. You can opt out of personalised ads via the Network Advertising Initiative or Digital Advertising Alliance.


Minors

We understand the importance of protecting children’s privacy, especially in an online environment. The Site is not designed for or directed at children. Under no circumstances shall we allow use of our services by minors without prior consent or authorization by a parent or legal guardian. We do not knowingly collect Personal Information from minors. If a parent or guardian becomes aware that his or her child has provided us with Personal Information without their consent, he or she should contact us at enquiries@macdonaldcare.co.uk


Updates or amendments to this Privacy Policy

We reserve the right to periodically amend or revise the Privacy Policy; material changes will be effective immediately upon the display of the revised Privacy policy. The last revision will be reflected in the "Last modified" section. Your continued use of the Platform, following the notification of such amendments on our website, constitutes your acknowledgment and consent of such amendments to the Privacy Policy and your agreement to be bound by the terms of such amendments.


How to contact us

If you have any general questions about the Site or the information we collect about you and how we use it, you can contact us at enquiries@macdonaldcare.co.uk

Last Modified 2nd April 2026