Privacy Policy

This policy outlines how Curious Minds complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws that came into effect on 25 May 2018. Further information about GDPR can be found at www.ico.org.uk

Our contact details

Name: Curious Minds

Address: 30 Whitehall Street, First Floor, Dundee, DD4 1AF

Email: info@curiousminds.scot

The type of personal information we collect

We collect and process the following information:

  • Personal identifiers such as your name, address and contact details including telephone numbers and email addresses
  • GP contact details
  • Education contact details for the purposes of gathering assessment information
  • Assessment information required to deliver a clinical service to you (for example, developmental history, education information, mental health history).
  • Financial information obtained in the process of receiving and requesting payments

How we get the personal information and why we have it

Most of the personal information we process is provided to us directly by you for one of the following reasons:

  • To enable the delivery of and administration of professional clinical services, such as a specialist assessment.

We may also receive personal information indirectly from the following sources in the following scenarios:

  • Education providers, for example when we request assessment information from your/your child’s school or teacher.
  • Other clinicians who have worked with you, for example a Speech and Language Therapist.

We use the information that you have given us in order to provide professional clinical services, including assessment. We may also use your data to communicate important information about the operation of our services and to gather client feedback on our services.

Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the lawful basis we rely on for processing this information is that Curious Minds has a legitimate interest in using the personal data and information we collect to provide a health service (assessment). This data is necessary for us to provide the service.

What we do with your personal information

We will only use your personal information to provide the services you have requested from us. If you do not provide the personal information requested, then we may be unable to provide a service to you.

We will never share your information with any third party for the purposes of marketing or research.

We will only share your information, for example an assessment outcome, with relevant third parties where you request us to do so, and this request is confirmed in writing by you.

Who we might share your personal information with

The information we process about you and your assessment is received in confidence, and therefore not normally shared with anyone else.

However, there may be exceptions to this when there may be need for liaison with other parties:

  • Where we need to contact education providers to gather further information as part of our assessment. We only do this with your written consent. We may be unable to complete our assessment if we are unable to access this information.
  • Where we need to contact other clinicians or professionals who have worked with you, and their information is required for completion of our assessment (for example a report from a Speech & Language Therapist).

In exceptional circumstances, we might need to share personal information with relevant authorities:

  • When there is need-to-know information for another health provider, such as your GP.
  • When disclosure is in the public interest, to prevent a miscarriage of justice or where there is a legal duty, for example a Court Order.
  • When the information concerns risk of harm to the client, or risk of harm to another adult or a child. We will discuss such a proposed disclosure with you unless we believe that to do so could increase the level of risk to you or to someone else.

How we store your personal information

All your information is securely stored and compliant with GDPR regulations. We only store your personal information for as long as is required.  

All hand written notes taken during the assessment are stored in locked cabinets within a secure room at our clinic. They are securely disposed of once the assessment report is completed. All electronic notes are stored in password-protected files and stored securely in accordance with GDPR regulations.

We use securely encrypted GDPR compliant email system and will send copies of our assessment reports to you via this system. All electronic reports sent are password protected.

The personal data defined above is stored for a period of 7 years after the end of assessment. After this time the data is destroyed.

Your data protection rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

Your right of access

You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information.

Your right to rectification

You have the right to ask us to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.

You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you.

Your right to complain –

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal information, you can make a complaint to us at info@curiousminds.scot

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

Fiona Mitchell

I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from The University of Strathclyde in 1996 and have over 25 years of experience working in NHS Scotland. I started work as a community Speech and Language Therapist working with children and young people.

I very quickly developed a real interest in Neurodevelopmental conditions, working closely with young people and their families to support the development of their speech, language and communication skills. I am passionate that all children should be in an environment where their communication can develop to the best of their abilities.

I have further developed my skills and knowledge particularly in the area of Autism, completing my ADOS 2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale) training and for a number of years my role has included being part of both community and specialist Autism Multidisciplinary Assessments.

I thoroughly enjoyed completing the National Autistic Society training in EarlyBird and EarlyBird Plus programmes. Delivering these parent groups allowed me to support families to learn more about Autism and to help them develop new ways to support their child.

I continue to work in the NHS supporting families on their journey pre and post assessment of Neurodevelopmental conditions.

 

Qualifications:

  • Bsc Hons Speech and Language Pathology

Claire Pollock

I am an Occupational Therapist (OT) with nearly 23 years experience within NHS Paediatric and Child and Adolescent Services both in Tayside and Fife, as well as a year as a Neurodevelopmental Therapist in a District Health Board in New Zealand. I have experience in both In-patient and community settings and have also been based within schools.

During this time, I have developed a particular passion for learning and sharing knowledge about Sensory integration and neuroscience. I feel privileged to have been able to explore and have conversations with many individuals about their unique sensory experiences; which are our foundation and gateway to how we experience our world with confidence.

I bring a broad and varied proficiency within the team around the child, supporting consistency in the home, school and other environments. Helping others to support you to achieve what is important to you.

OT considers the whole person, grounded in bringing a holistic approach to supporting people to achieve their goals. I also enjoy the creativity and problem solving aspect of being an OT and look forward to exploring this with you.
I look forward to meeting you and am curious to learn about your unique brain and subsequent different skills, abilities, needs and considerations.

Qualifications:

  • BSc Occupational Therapy
  • HCPC Registered

Claire Mathewson

I am a Nurse Consultant with more than 20 years of experience working within NHS Neurodevelopmental Services, supporting children, young people and adults with a wide range of neurodevelopmental conditions.

I originally qualified from the University of Dundee as a Learning Disability Nurse in 2005, followed by Mental Health Nursing in 2008.

After completing my Nursing Degree, I went on to achieve a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Practice in 2019.

I am also a Non Medical Prescriber with a particular focus on sleep, emotional regulation and neurodevelopmental presentations.

I am currently undertaking a Masters level research project exploring the diagnosis of Autism.

Over the last ten years, my clinical work has centred on the assessment and diagnosis of Autism, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions across the lifespan.

I am trained in the delivery of both the 3Di and ADOS 2 assessments and have extensive experience working with adults whose needs may have been overlooked earlier in life.

My professional passion is working alongside neurodivergent children, young people and adults, helping them and their families develop a clearer, more affirming understanding of their strengths, needs and identity.

I feel privileged to work with such a diverse group of individuals and continue to learn from them every day.

Qualifications:

  • BSc Nursing
  • PG Dip Advance Practice
  • Registered Independent and Supplementary Prescriber

Dr. Louise Loughran

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in NHS Neurodevelopmental Services and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services across Scotland.

Throughout my career I have specialised in the assessment and understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions, and I am passionate about delivering high quality, compassionate care for children, teenagers and adults.

My particular area of interest has always been Autism, and I have extensive experience in both CAMHS and Autism Assessment Teams, where I have worked for many years.

Alongside this, I have developed significant expertise in ADHD assessment across the lifespan, including the complexities of identifying ADHD in girls, women and adults who may have been missed earlier in life.

I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Glasgow and have undertaken extensive specialist training in Autism assessment (including ADOS), ADHD assessment, neurodevelopmental disorders, and family based approaches.

My clinical background includes many years working in NHS Greater Glasgow as a Principal Psychologist, where I played a key role in developing and delivering high quality Autism Assessment services.

I have always particularly enjoyed working alongside individuals and families to build a clearer, more affirming understanding of neurodiversity.

Whether supporting a child, a teenager or an adult seeking clarity later in life, I aim to provide assessments that are respectful, collaborative and grounded in the person’s lived experience.

Qualifications:

  • Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
  • PG Dip Cognitive Psychology
  • ADOS Certified
  • HCPC Registered