Introduction
Serene Ventures respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard information when you use our website or engage our services.
We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and comply with the UK General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018.
Information We Collect
We collect different types of information depending on how you interact with us:
Information You Provide Directly
When you contact us or engage our services, you may provide:
- Name, address, and contact details
- National Insurance number
- Details of your financial circumstances
- Health information relevant to benefit claims
- Correspondence with government departments
- Any other information you choose to share during consultations
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may collect:
- IP address and browser information
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Referring website addresses
- Device type and operating system
How We Use Your Information
We process your personal data for the following purposes:
- Providing benefits advisory services you've requested
- Preparing and submitting benefit claims on your behalf
- Representing you in appeals or tribunal hearings
- Communicating with government departments regarding your case
- Maintaining records for professional indemnity purposes
- Complying with legal obligations
- Improving our services and website functionality
Legal Basis for Processing
We process your data based on:
- Contractual necessity when providing services you've engaged us for
- Legitimate interests in operating our business and improving services
- Legal obligations requiring us to maintain certain records
- Explicit consent for processing sensitive personal data such as health information
Sharing Your Information
We may share your personal data with:
- Department for Work and Pensions when submitting claims or appeals
- Local authorities for housing benefit or council tax support applications
- Medical professionals when obtaining evidence for your claim
- First-tier Tribunal when representing you in appeals
- Legal advisors or barristers engaged for complex cases
- IT service providers who support our secure systems
We never sell your personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:
- Encrypted storage of digital files
- Secure transmission of sensitive information
- Access controls limiting who can view your data
- Regular security audits and staff training
- Physical security measures at our offices
Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in this policy. Typically:
- Active case files are retained while we represent you
- Closed case files are kept for seven years for professional indemnity purposes
- Financial records are retained for six years as required by law
- Website analytics data is retained for two years
After these periods, data is securely destroyed or anonymised.
Your Rights
Under data protection law, you have rights including:
- Access to your personal data and information about how it's processed
- Correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
- Deletion of your data in certain circumstances
- Restriction of processing in specific situations
- Objection to processing based on legitimate interests
- Data portability where technically feasible
- Withdrawal of consent for processing sensitive data
To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We'll respond within one month.
Cookies and Tracking
Our website uses cookies to improve functionality and analyse usage. See our separate Cookies Policy for detailed information about the cookies we use and how to manage your preferences.
Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to external sites. We're not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this privacy policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Significant changes will be communicated via email to current clients or prominently displayed on our website.
Complaints
If you have concerns about how we handle your personal data, please contact us at [email protected]. We take complaints seriously and will investigate promptly.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Website: ico.org.uk
Contact Information
For questions about this privacy policy or how we handle your data:
Data Protection Officer
Serene Ventures
42 Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2BS
Email: [email protected]