Privacy Policy

Who we are

Small Talk Club provides paediatric Speech & Language Therapy support in Edinburgh & Lothians and is the group-based paediatric service from Thistle Speech Therapy. This notice explains how we collect, use and protect personal information when you use our website, make an enquiry or receive support from us.

For privacy questions, contact us at hello@smalltalkclub.co.uk.

Information we collect

When you make an enquiry, we may collect information such as:

• your name, email address and phone number;
• your postcode, town or area;
• your child's age range;
• information about your child's speech, language and communication;
• whether your child is already known to Speech & Language Therapy;
• any diagnosis, additional support needs or other information you choose to share; and
• how you heard about Small Talk Club.

Some information about a child's health, development or support needs may be classed as special category data under UK data protection law. Please only share information that is relevant to your enquiry.

How we use your information

We use personal information to:

• review your enquiry and understand what support may be appropriate;
• contact you about your enquiry, appointments or services;
• provide and administer Speech & Language Therapy services where a family chooses to proceed;
• maintain appropriate enquiry records and where therapy begins, relevant professional, administrative and safeguarding records where required; and
• meet legal, regulatory and professional obligations.

Enquiry information is not automatically added to a marketing list. If we introduce newsletters or promotional emails, we will use an appropriate separate opt-in or other lawful route before sending them.

Our lawful basis

Depending on the circumstances, we may process personal information because it is necessary to take steps at your request before providing a service, to perform a service agreement, to meet a legal obligation or because we have a legitimate interest in responding to enquiries and administering our services.

Where we process special category information, such as health or developmental information, we also identify an appropriate condition under Article 9 of the UK GDPR. Where applicable, this may include processing that is necessary for the provision or management of health or social care by, or under the responsibility of, a health professional subject to professional confidentiality obligations.

Confidentiality and who reviews your enquiry

Each enquiry is reviewed by the Founder of Small Talk Club, an HCPC-registered Speech & Language Therapist. Information about your child is handled under the professional confidentiality standards expected of a regulated healthcare professional.

As part of our normal enquiry process, no other person reviews the information you provide in order to assess suitability. Access to personal information is kept to the minimum necessary and the information is treated as strictly confidential.

We do not share enquiry information with external people or organisations as a matter of routine. We do not sell personal information and we do not disclose it for third-party marketing, advertising or commercial use.

Secure technology providers may process limited information solely to operate essential website, email or record systems. They act as service providers and are not permitted to use your information for their own purposes.

Information would only be disclosed outside Small Talk Club where you have asked us to do so, where this is necessary and lawful for providing a service, or where disclosure is required by law, safeguarding duties or professional obligations.

How long we keep information

We keep personal information only for as long as it is reasonably needed for the purpose it was collected, to manage our services and to meet legal or professional obligations. If an enquiry develops into therapy or another service, some records may need to be kept for longer in line with applicable professional and legal record-keeping requirements.

Children's information

Our enquiry forms are intended to be completed by a parent, carer or other authorised adult. Because the information may relate to a child, we aim to collect only what is relevant and handle it with particular care, discretion and confidentiality.

Your rights

Depending on the circumstances, you may have rights to access your personal information, ask us to correct it, request deletion or restriction, object to certain processing or receive a copy of information you have provided. Where processing relies on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting earlier lawful processing.

To exercise a privacy right, email hello@smalltalkclub.co.uk. You also have the right to raise a concern with the Information Commissioner's Office.

Updates to this notice

We may update this policy when our services or data practices change. The latest version will always be published on this page.