Privacy Policy
1. Introduction
Welcome to LocalCareGuide.co.uk (“LocalCareGuide“, “we“, “our” or “us“).
We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. Looking after your personal information is just as important to us as helping families find trusted local care.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we may share it with, and the choices and rights available to you.
Whether you are looking for care, making an enquiry, downloading one of our guides, subscribing to updates, applying for a job, partnering with us or simply browsing our website, we want you to understand how your information is handled.
By using this Website, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
Please read this Policy together with our:
- Privacy Policy;
- Cookies Policy;
- Editorial Policy;
- Terms & Conditions;
- Disclaimer Statement;
- Accessibility Statement;
- Modern Slavery Statement.
Together, these documents form the legal framework governing your use of LocalCareGuide.co.uk and, where applicable, the products and services we provide.
2. Who We Are
LocalCareGuide is an independent UK information platform that helps families discover trusted care, support and services within their local communities.
We publish printed and digital Local Care Guides, operate online care directories and information services, connect families with carefully selected care providers and support community organisations across the UK.
For the purposes of UK data protection legislation, LocalCareGuide is the Data Controller responsible for the personal information collected through this Website.
Contact Details
LocalCareGuide by Caringly
Upper Floors
18 Leonard Street
Perth PH2 8ES
Email: privacy@localcareguide.co.uk
3. Our Privacy Principles
Protecting your privacy is fundamental to the way we operate. We believe trust begins with transparency. Our commitment is based on five simple principles.
We only collect information we genuinely need.
We collect the minimum amount of personal information necessary to provide our services, respond to enquiries and improve our Website.
We never sell your personal information.
We do not sell your personal information to third parties.
Where information is shared with carefully selected care providers or trusted partners, it is only for the purpose of responding to your enquiry or providing a service you have requested.
We protect your information.
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, misuse, loss or disclosure.
You remain in control.
Where possible, you decide what information you share with us and how we communicate with you.
You may update your preferences or unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.
We believe in transparency.
We aim to explain clearly what information we collect, why we collect it and how it is used.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, we encourage you to contact us:
Email: privacy@localcareguide.co.uk
4. Information You Give Us
The information we collect depends on how you interact with LocalCareGuide and the products and services you choose to use.
Information You Provide
You may choose to provide us with personal information when you:
- request a Local Care Guide;
- download a checklist or resource;
- subscribe to newsletters or updates;
- submit a care enquiry;
- contact us;
- apply for employment;
- enquire about partnership opportunities;
- submit provider information;
- complete online forms;
- submit reviews or feedback – We may moderate, edit or decline reviews that are unlawful, misleading, offensive, defamatory, spam or otherwise inappropriate.
Depending on the service, this information may include:
- your name;
- email address;
- telephone number;
- postal address;
- postcode;
- organisation name;
- job title;
- details of your enquiry;
- communication preferences;
- any additional information you choose to provide.
Care Enquiry Information
If you ask us to help you find care or support, we may collect information relating to your requirements, including:
- the type of care required;
- preferred location;
- timescales;
- care preferences;
- information about the person requiring care;
- any other information you voluntarily provide to help us understand your enquiry.
Sometimes you may choose to tell us about the care needs of yourself or someone you are helping. This information may include details relating to health, disability or care requirements.
We only use this information to understand your enquiry, help you find appropriate care and, where requested, introduce you to carefully selected care providers.
Information We Collect Automatically
When you visit our Website, certain information may be collected automatically.
This may include:
- IP address;
- browser type;
- device information;
- operating system;
- pages visited;
- referring website;
- date and time of your visit;
- approximate location based on your IP address;
- website usage statistics;
- cookie information.
This information helps us improve the performance, security and usability of our Website.
Information From Third Parties
We may receive information from trusted third-party sources including:
- care regulators;
- care providers;
- community organisations;
- business partners;
- publicly available company information;
- public inspection reports;
- analytics providers;
- advertising partners.
Where we receive information from third parties, we will handle it in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable data protection legislation.
5. How We Use Your Information
We only process personal information where we have a lawful basis under UK data protection legislation.
Depending on your interaction with LocalCareGuide, we may use your information to:
- respond to enquiries;
- help you find suitable care providers;
- arrange introductions to selected care providers;
- provide information you have requested;
- send Local Care Guides or other publications;
- process newsletter subscriptions;
- respond to partnership enquiries;
- administer advertising enquiries;
- process job applications;
- verify reviews and user submissions;
- improve Top10 CARE and our editorial content;
- improve Local Care Guides and community information;
- improve our Website and services;
- maintain the security of our systems;
- comply with legal and regulatory obligations;
- protect our legal rights.
Where appropriate, we rely on one or more of the following lawful bases:
- your consent;
- performance of a contract;
- compliance with legal obligations;
- our legitimate interests;
- protection of vital interests where applicable.
Automated Systems
We may use automated tools, including AI-assisted technologies, to help route enquiries, improve our Website, personalise content, detect spam or misuse and improve the services we provide.
We do not make decisions that produce legal or similarly significant effects solely through automated means.
6. Sharing Your Information
We treat your personal information with care and confidentiality.
We may share information where necessary with trusted third parties in order to provide the services you have requested.
These may include:
- carefully selected care providers;
- trusted community organisations;
- technology service providers;
- website hosting providers;
- customer relationship management (CRM) systems;
- email communication providers;
- payment service providers (where applicable);
- professional advisers;
- regulatory authorities;
- law enforcement agencies where required by law.
Care Enquiries
Where you ask us to help you find care or request to be contacted by a care provider, we may share relevant information from your enquiry with one or more carefully selected care providers operating within your preferred area.
We only share information that is reasonably necessary to help those providers understand your enquiry and respond appropriately.
We do not share your enquiry with organisations that are not relevant to your request.
Once your enquiry has been shared, the receiving care provider becomes independently responsible for the way it processes your personal information.
7. Marketing Communications
If you choose to subscribe to our newsletters, guides or updates, we may send you information relating to:
- Local Care Guides;
- care advice and resources;
- Community partner information;
- What’s On for Elders;
- Carer’s Life Magazine;
- Top10 CARE;
- partner updates;
- carefully selected products and services that we believe may be relevant.
You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by:
- clicking the unsubscribe link included in our emails;
- updating your communication preferences where available; or
- contacting us directly.
We do not send marketing communications unless you have requested them or we are otherwise legally permitted to do so.
8. Cookies
LocalCareGuide uses cookies and similar technologies to help our Website function effectively, improve your browsing experience and understand how our Website is used.
Cookies may be used to:
- remember your preferences;
- improve website performance;
- analyse visitor activity;
- enhance security;
- measure the effectiveness of our services and marketing.
You can manage or disable cookies through your browser settings at any time. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of parts of our Website.
For more information, please read our Cookies Policy.
9. Data Security
We take the security of your personal information seriously.
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures designed to protect personal information against accidental loss, unauthorised access, misuse, disclosure, alteration or destruction.
These measures may include:
- encrypted website connections (SSL);
- secure hosting environments;
- controlled access to personal information;
- password protection;
- regular software updates;
- security monitoring and backups.
While we take reasonable steps to protect your information, no website or electronic transmission can ever be guaranteed to be completely secure. Users should also take appropriate steps to protect their own devices and personal information.
10. How Long We Keep Your Information
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, comply with legal obligations and protect our legitimate business interests. Different retention periods may apply where required by law.
Typical retention periods may include:
| Information | Typical Retention Period |
| Website enquiries | Up to 3 years |
| Care enquiries | Up to 3 years |
| Newsletter subscriptions | Until you unsubscribe |
| Job applications | Up to 12 months |
| Partnership enquiries | Up to 6 years where relevant |
| Advertising enquiries | Up to 6 years where relevant |
| User reviews | While published and for a reasonable period afterwards |
| Website analytics | In accordance with our analytics settings |
Retention periods may be extended where required to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes or protect our legal rights.
Where information is no longer required, it will be securely deleted or anonymised where appropriate.
11. Your Rights
Under UK data protection legislation, You have important rights regarding your personal information:
- request access to your personal information;
- request correction of inaccurate information;
- request deletion of your personal information;
- request restriction of processing;
- object to certain processing activities;
- request transfer of your information where applicable;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
We will respond to legitimate requests in accordance with applicable data protection legislation.
To exercise any of your rights, please contact us using the details provided in this Policy.
If you are dissatisfied with how we have handled your personal information, we encourage you to contact us first so that we can try to resolve your concerns.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
12. International Transfers
LocalCareGuide primarily stores and processes personal information within the United Kingdom.
Some trusted service providers may process information outside the United Kingdom. Where it is necessary for information to be processed outside the UK, appropriate safeguards will be implemented in accordance with UK GDPR.
13. Children’s Privacy
LocalCareGuide is intended primarily for adults seeking care information, care providers, partners and community organisations.
LocalCareGuide is not specifically directed towards children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children without appropriate consent where required by law.
If you believe a child has provided personal information to us inappropriately, please contact us and we will investigate the matter promptly.
Parents or guardians who believe their child has provided personal information should contact us immediately.
14. Third-Party Websites
Our Website may contain links to third-party websites, services or organisations.
These websites operate independently of LocalCareGuide and have their own privacy policies.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites and encourage users to read their privacy policies before providing personal information.
15. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal obligations or business practices.
The latest version will always be published on our Website.
Your continued use of the Website following any updates constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.
16. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we process your personal information, please contact us.
LocalCareGuide by Caringly
Upper Floors, 18 Leonard St., Perth PH2 8ES
Data Protection enquiries: privacy@localcareguide.co.uk
17. Related Policies
Please also read our:
- Privacy Policy;
- Cookies Policy;
- Editorial Policy;
- Terms & Conditions;
- Disclaimer Statement;
- Accessibility Statement;
- Modern Slavery Statement.
Together, these documents form the legal framework governing your use of this Website and, where applicable, the Services we provide.
Privacy Policy
UK (Scotland) Edition • Version 1.0
Effective Date: 01 August 2026