The GDPR is a regulation by which the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission intend to strengthen and unify data protection for all individuals within the European Union.

Delivered to staff from Caledonia, Cordale and Bellsmyre housing associations by Tim Musson from Computer Law Training, the 16 training sessions designed to reflect the different roles and responsibilities of staff in relation to handling and processing personal data.

Caledonia Housing Association Group chief executive, Julie Cosgrove, said: “Ensuring we have the necessary processes and procedures in place to safeguard personal data has always been vitally important to us as an organisation.

“With the additional regulatory requirements of the new GDPR legislation, we believed it was necessary to develop a bespoke data protection training programme to ensure all our staff are fully aware of their role and personal responsibilities when it comes to data protection both now, and under the new GDPR requirements when they come into effect next year.”

Tim Musson from Computer Law Training said: “I am thoroughly enjoying working with the Caledonia Group. While there was already a great deal of good practice in place, like most housing associations there were aspects of data protection which they were finding very difficult. It isn’t easy.

“The level of interest shown by staff at all levels has been impressive – they have thought about the way in which data protection obligations affect their day to day work and practical ways in which compliance can be improved. Senior management is clearly leading the way and working hard to get this right; I’m delighted to be able to support them with this.”