Privacy & Cookie Policy
The team at Mum’s Loving an Addict is concerned with managing the personal information we collect from you in a fair and transparent manner, and we actively comply with the requirements and spirit of the New Zealand Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1993.
We will be fair in the way we collect information from you. We will tell you who we are, what type of information we hold about you and how we intend to use it.
The Purpose of the Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy (‘this Policy”) outlines how we manage your personal information. It also describes generally the type of personal information held and for what purposes, and how that information is collected, held, used, disclosed or de-identified.
This Policy will be reviewed at least annually, to ensure it remains up to date. It may be amended from time to time by posting the amended version on our website.
Further Information
For further information on privacy in New Zealand, please visit the website of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner at https://www.privacy.org.nz/
Collection of Personal and Sensitive Information
As part of providing counselling and other related services, Mum’s Loving an Addict obtain from you, with your consent, personal information that is relevant to your current situation and which is of assistance in providing a professional service.
We will only collect personal information where it is necessary for us to perform one or more of our functions or activities. We collect the personal information we need to provide counselling services and to satisfy our legal, counselling and other services and professional obligations as professionals.
At or before the time Mum’s Loving an Addict collects personal information about you, Mum’s Loving an Addict will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are aware of:
the identity of Mum’s Loving an Addict and our Services and how to make contact;
the fact that you are able to gain access to the information;
the purposes for which the information is collected;
any law that requires the particular information to be collected; and;
the main consequences (if any) for you if all or part of the information is not provided.
Purpose
This information is used to assist in the provision of counselling services and is intended to satisfy our legal and professional obligations as Professionals.
Disclosure
Information obtained by us will remain confidential and will only be released when:
You have provided written approval of informed consent for access to your own case notes;
The information is health information and the use or disclosure is necessary for research, or the compilation or analysis of statistics, relevant to public health or public safety, and;
it is impractical for Services to seek your consent before the use or disclosure;
the use or disclosure is conducted in accordance with guidelines approved by the Privacy Commissioner under section 54 of the Privacy Act;
The use or disclosure is required or authorized by law;
Mum’s Loving an Addict reasonably believes that the use or disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious and/or imminent threat to any person.
Quality
Mum’s Loving an Addict will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the information obtained and stored is accurate. If any of the personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete or out-of-date, please contact us immediately and we will take reasonable steps to correct this information or, if necessary, we will discuss alternative access with you.
Data Security
Mum’s Loving an Addict views the security of your information as paramount to the integrity of our work. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that data is secure. All personal information is kept in secure filing systems and on a secure computer server. Only authorized personnel have access to both systems.
Openness
Mum’s Loving an Addict is open about its management of personal information. This document and all other relevant documents are available on request.
On request by you, Mum’s Loving an Addict will take reasonable steps to inform you of the information it holds, the purpose of obtaining such information, how it collects, uses and discloses that information.
Gaining Access to and Correcting your Personal Information
You can request access to your personal information. Such requests will be responded to promptly (typically within 5 working days). We may recover from you our reasonable cost of providing you with access. If charges are applicable for providing access, we will disclose these charges to you prior to providing you with the information.
To arrange access please contact us (see the Contacting Us section). All requests to access information should be in writing, marked to the attention of the Privacy Officer.
In limited circumstances, a request for access may be denied, or restricted access given. We will provide reasons in writing for the denial of or limitation on access. Note: access may only be denied in the circumstances set out in the New Zealand Privacy Principles, including:
where providing access will pose a serious threat to life or health of any individual or pose an unreasonable impact on the privacy or an individual;
your request for access is frivolous or vexatious;
where the information relates to existing legal proceedings between EAP Services and you and the information would not be discoverable in the process of those legal proceedings;
where providing access would be unlawful, may prejudice an investigation of possible unlawful activity, may prejudice enforcement of laws, or denying access is specifically authorised by law.
We will correct personal information if we discover, or you are able to show that the information is incorrect. If you seek correction and Mum’s Loving an Addict disagrees that the information is incorrect, we will provide you with our reasons for taking that view and advise you on the further steps you may take.
Identifiers
Mum’s Loving an Addict will use a Client Identification Numbering System which allows for privacy and security of your information and which is not related to any other identifier system.
Use of Cookies
Online Appointment
Our online appointment system uses an in-memory cookie, which is set to last no longer than 30 minutes. The cookie itself doesn't collect any personal information about you (it is used to hold basic authentication-related information) and the content is encrypted.
Information you provide as part of the appointment process is retained on a secure site so we can contact you regarding your booking and maintain and manage your booking.
Your information will not be passed onto any third parties.
Transborder Data Flow
EAP Services does not store any personal data or individual’s information outside New Zealand.
Where an individual requests us to provide services through Partners located outside New Zealand, the individuals information will be provided to that Partner, located outside New Zealand, In that circumstance, security of information is covered by New Zealand Privacy Principle 11.
Change to Privacy Policy
Mum’s Loving an Addict may amend or update this Privacy Policy from time to time with or without notice to you.
Resolving your Privacy Issues
Mum’s Loving an Addict is pleased to discuss any concerns or complaints regarding the management of personal information or if you would like to discuss any issues about our Privacy Policy.
We also have a complaints process including external dispute resolution and a nominated Privacy Officer who can be contacted as detailed in the Contacting Us section.
In the first instance, a complaint should be made in writing, marked to the attention the Privacy Officer. The complaint will typically be responded to within 5 working days of receipt of the complaint; will be investigated within 21 working days and will be formally replied to within 28 working days.
If you are not satisfied with the response or the outcome of the complaint, you can appeal to the Privacy Commissioner.
Dealing with us Anonymously or under Pseudonym
You can deal with us anonymously or you may use a pseudonym where it is lawful and practicable to do so. For example, you may inquire about our products or receive generic information about how we may be able to provide support services to you. However, we regret that we will not be able to offer any of our products or services if we cannot identify you.