Council investigation after claims of social work files left in abandoned office
HIGHLAND Council has launched an investigation into a potentially serious data breach after highly confidential social work documents were apparently left unsecured in a former office.
Allegations have emerged on social media accusing officials of abandoning hundreds of personal files at the Kinmylies Building in Leachkin Road, Inverness.
Community services workers who were sent in to clear up before the facility is demolished claim to have found the files, relating mostly to family and child social work cases, in unlocked cabinets.
One woman claims to have found the name of a personal friend in one of the files, suggesting they are not very old.
She said there were letters complete with names and addresses in the filing cabinets which were left in good order, but unsecured.
The claims sparked outrage on social media, with many people worried that their or their children’s data had been compromised.
The council has now launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged find, given the often highly sensitive nature of social work documents.
A spokeswoman said: “The social work offices at Kinmylies were recently vacated to make way for the demolition of the building in preparation for social housing.
“An internal investigation is under way due to an allegation which has been made. However, there is currently no evidence to support any data breach having occurred during the move.”
Councillor Kirsteen Currie, who is on the local authority’s care and learning committee, said: “I’m pleased to hear that Highland Council has initiated an investigation into this matter as the allegations are not only serious and distressing to those involved but, if proven to be true, they would indicate that data protection laws may have been broken.
“The rules around data protection, particularly when it comes to protecting and supporting vulnerable people, simply must be given the respect that they deserve. Ignorance in this issue is not acceptable. All data handlers would have received updated training with the changes to the law in the last year. I find it very worrying that there is a suggestion here that Highland Council has not been complying with the legislation.”
