Website of the Department of Health

Data Protection Act 1998: guidance to social services

The Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) came into force on 1 March 2000. The purpose of this guidance to local authority social services is to provide information about how the DPA works in relation to giving access to social work records. The guidance also gives: guidance on good practice in compiling and maintaining records; advice on the need for policies covering the retention and disposal of other records as well as guidance on confidentiality and social services records.

• Download Data Protection Act 1998 guidance to social services March 2000 (PDF, 683K)
• Data Protection Act 1998 - guidance for social services
• Data Protection Act 1998 (opens new window)