Retention of Records Policy

1 Introduction

1.1 This Retention of Records Policy has been approved by the Board of Trustees (the

Trustees) of Love in Action (International) (the Charity).

1.2 The Retention of Records Policy will enable the Charity to comply with the requirements of data protection legislation. Furthermore, this policy will enable the Charity to manage and track documents and assist in providing openness and transparency to the public.

1.3 The Retention of Records Policy is required to support the organised creation, retrieval, appropriate storage and preservation of the Charity’s essential records. In addition, it is essential to support the appropriate disposal of documents with no continuing business, legal or historical significance.

1.4 As a Charity, the actual period for records to be kept will depend on a number of factors, including:

1.4.1 legal requirements

1.4.2 storage costs

1.4.3 the Charity’s need to access the document

1.4.4 historical value

2 Scope of the Policy

2.1 This policy encompasses:

2.1.1 records created by or on behalf of the Charity and staff in their duties for the

Charity

2.1.2 records received by any member of staff in the Charity

2.1.3 hard copy and electronic records including Internet and Intranet sites, databases, emails, films and videos

3 Data Protection

3.1 This policy will ensure that the Charity is complying with applicable data protection legislation, which requires that we do not retain personal data for longer than is necessary.

3.2 To comply with the principles of data protection legislation, the Charity must:

3.2.1 only keep information for as long as there is a business need

3.2.2 keep records secure, whether electronic or paper

3.2.3 ensure records are retrievable and easily traced

3.2.4 allow a person access to information held about them, should they request it

3.3 It follows that the Charity must:

3.3.1 destroy papers and electronic data for which there is no continuing business need and send papers that cannot be destroyed to archive for as short a time as possible

3.3.2 keep data secure while it remains in any office

3.3.3 keep track of where information is stored

3.3.4 continue to apply these good practices to avoid stockpiling papers in the future

4 Policy

4.1 All records created by or on behalf of the Charity belong to the Charity. This includes any rights or copyright in the context, except where specifically provided under copyright legislation.

4.2 All records received on behalf of the Charity as part of its business will be its property, which may be disposed of or released as the Charity sees fit or as required by law.

Originators’ and owners’ rights will be fully respected in accordance with legislation.

4.3 Responsibility for depositing and disposing of archive records lies with the Trustees as the information asset owner. It is their responsibility to ensure that complete and accurate records are retained in line with legislative requirements and agreed best practice.

4.4 Responsibility for managing and tracking records lies with the relevant Director who:

4.4.1 Will determine if a file is no longer required for current business usage, which can then be added to the archive.

4.4.2 May choose to retain records for longer than the indicative periods given in the retention schedule, for example, if they consider records to be of significant historical value or if the issue they are concerned remains ‘live.

RETENTION SCHEDULE


TYPE OF RECORD

RETENTION PERIOD

TYPE OF RECORDRETENTION PERIOD
Supporter Personal Information
Financial Information – including: records of banking transactions, tax records, audits.
Health & Safety Assessments
Details of Injuries or Accident Reports/Records
Recruitment Information for Unsuccessful Applicants: Job Application Forms, CV’s and other details including interview notes
Personnel and employment records
• Job description and terms & conditions• Appraisal records, objectives, performance reviews or targets
• Development/training needs agreed and records of completed activities.
Pay & Benefits information (Inland Revenue requirements)
nformation connected to donations will be retained for at least seven years.
The name and address of people who ask not to be mailed will be kept for as long as necessary to ensure that they are not mailed again, any other data relating to the data subject will be deleted at the earliest possible time.
Retention period ranges from between six years to ten years from the end of the Financial Year in which the transaction was made, in line with regulations.
Six years from time of assessment.
Six years from time of accident occurring.
Seven months after unsuccessful applicant notified of outcome.
Ten years after employee has left employment.
Seven years after employee has left employment