Privacy Policy
Reviewed: November 2026
Privacy Policy
Reviewed: 2 November 2026
1. Definitions
In this Privacy Policy the following definitions are used:
"Data" means all personal data (as defined by the UK GDPR and EU GDPR) that you submit to Social Value International through this Website, or through forms, surveys and services we provide.
"Cookies" are small files stored on your device to improve your browsing experience and track website usage.
"Data Protection Laws" refers to all applicable data protection and privacy legislation in force, including but not limited to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).
"Website" refers to the website that you are currently using, socialvalueint.org, and any sub-domains of this site unless expressly excluded by their own terms and conditions.
"User," "you," "your" means any individual accessing or using our website or services and is not either 1. employed by Social Value International and acting in the course of their employment or 2. engaged as a consultant or otherwise providing services to Social Value International and accessing the website in connection with the provision of such services.
"Social Value International," "we," "our," "us" refers to the data controller:
Address: Social Value International, LCVS, 151 Dale Street, Liverpool, L2 2AH
Email: hello@socialvalueint.org
Website: www.socialvalueint.org
Company number: 7568122
Registered Charity number: 1142874
2. Scope of this Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to your use of this Website and to personal data collected through it, and through forms, surveys and services we provide (including asking for feedback). It does not apply to any third-party websites that may be linked from our website. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites before submitting any personal data.
For the purposes of Data Protection Laws, Social Value International is the data controller, responsible for determining the purposes and means of processing your personal data.
3. What data we collect
We may collect, store, and use the following types of personal data:
Full name
Email address
Phone number
Job title and profession
Organisation, region and country
IP address and browser type
Financial details (e.g., payment information)
Comments, uploads (including images and documents), and associated metadata
Feedback and opinions you share with us, such as views on our accreditation process
Professional biographies and photographs you choose to provide
Technical data from website usage (e.g., device and browser information, referral data)
We do not collect special category data (e.g., race, religion, political beliefs, health data) unless explicitly provided and with your clear consent.
Our Website is not intended for children under the age of 16, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children without parental consent.
We use Google Analytics with IP anonymisation enabled. Data collected is used solely for internal insights and is not shared with advertisers or used for profiling or automated decision-making.
4. How we collect your data
a) Data that is given to us by you
When filling out forms (e.g., newsletter signups, membership, contact, accreditation feedback)
Through correspondence by email, phone, post, or in-person at events
When creating an account or completing a transaction
When submitting comments, images, or other content
When you use our services
b) Data collected automatically
IP address and device/browser information
Website usage through cookies and analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics)
Metadata from comments or uploaded content (e.g., EXIF from images)
Spam detection and security monitoring systems
5. Legal basis for processing
We rely on the following lawful bases for processing your personal data under the UK/EU GDPR:
Purpose of processing
Legal basis
Email marketing
Consent or soft opt-in (PECR compliant)
Account and membership management
Contractual necessity
Payment processing
Contractual necessity and legal obligation
Website analytics and performance
Legitimate interest
Service improvement and internal record keeping, including accreditation feedback
Legitimate interest
Publishing accredited practitioner profiles
Consent
Responding to inquiries
Legitimate interest or consent
Where we rely on legitimate interest, we ensure it does not override your fundamental rights and freedoms. A Legitimate Interest Assessment (LIA) has been conducted where required.
6. Marketing Communications
We may send marketing communications if:
You have explicitly opted in (consent)
You are an existing contact, and our communications are relevant and infrequent (soft opt-in, as allowed under PECR)
You can withdraw your consent or opt out at any time by:
Clicking the unsubscribe link in any marketing email
Contacting us at comms@socialvalueint.org
We do not sell or share your data for third-party marketing purposes.
7. Accreditation feedback and practitioner profiles
When you complete our Level 2 Accreditation feedback form, we collect your feedback on the accreditation process (including your views on its cost and value), your name, job title, organisation and country. If you choose, we also collect a professional biography, an example of your work and a photograph.
Feedback is used by SVI staff to review and improve the accreditation process, including its pricing, on the basis of our legitimate interests. Your answers are linked to your name so we can follow up if needed. We may share anonymised, combined findings, but we will not publish your individual answers unless you agree.
Practitioner profiles are used to celebrate accredited practitioners in our newsletter, on LinkedIn, on the Global Community Hub and on our website. We only use the items and channels you select on the form, on the basis of your consent. We may shorten your biography or quotes to fit the format, but we won't change their meaning. We may not feature everyone, and publication timing will vary.
Changing your mind: you can withdraw or change your consent at any time by emailing Comms@socialvalueint.org. This won't affect your accreditation. We will stop using your information in new communications and remove it from our website and social media. We cannot recall newsletters already sent or remove content that others have shared.
8. Who we share your data with
We do not sell or rent your personal data. We only share it where necessary and with appropriate safeguards:
Partners: only where you've provided direct consent
Service providers: such as website hosts, form and survey tools (e.g., Jotform), payment processors, CRM platforms, email service providers, and accounting systems
Security tools: such as anti-spam and security monitoring services
The public: where you have consented to us publishing your practitioner profile, it will be visible to anyone on the channels you chose, and may be shared further by others
Legal obligations: where required by law, regulation, or court order
All third-party processors are required to handle your data securely and in accordance with Data Protection Laws.
9. Data security
We implement robust technical and organisational security measures, including:
SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
Secure data storage with restricted access
Password protection and user access controls
Staff training and internal data handling protocols
Regular audits and system reviews
If you suspect a data breach, contact us immediately at hello@socialvalueint.org
10. Cookies
We use cookies and similar technologies for:
Website functionality and performance
Understanding visitor behaviour (via Google Analytics)
Saving user preferences
Email tracking (e.g., Mailchimp)
Types of Cookies We Use:
Essential Cookies: required for the operation of the Website
Analytical Cookies: help us understand user behaviour
Functionality Cookies: remember choices you make
11. International data transfers
Some of our service providers are based outside the UK/EU (e.g., Mailchimp, Google, Jotform, and Circle, which hosts our Global Community Hub). In these cases, we ensure adequate safeguards are in place, such as:
Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) approved by the UK/EU
UK International Data Transfer Agreement (IDTA)
Data Privacy Framework (where applicable)
These measures ensure your data is protected to the same standard as under UK/EU law.
Before sharing your personal information with our networks, we will always ask for your specific consent to do so.
12. Data retention
We only keep your data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purpose it was collected for, including:
While you have an account or active engagement with us
To comply with legal, accounting, or reporting obligations
Until you request deletion (subject to legal exceptions)
Some data may remain in secure backups for a limited time
For accreditation feedback and practitioner profiles, we keep:
feedback for 5 years, after which it is anonymised
profile content until you withdraw consent, or for 3 years after publication if no consent is given to continue
unused photographs for no more than 12 months
a record of your consent choices for as long as we use your content, plus 1 year
When data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymised.
13. Your data protection rights
You have the following rights under the UK/EU GDPR:
Right of access: request a copy of your data
Right to rectification: correct inaccurate or incomplete data
Right to erasure: ask for data to be deleted
Right to restrict processing: limit how we use your data
Right to data portability: request your data in a usable format
Right to object: particularly to marketing or legitimate interest uses
Right to withdraw consent: at any time
To exercise these rights, email us at hello@socialvalueint.org. For accreditation feedback or practitioner profiles, you can also contact Comms@socialvalueint.org.
Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal. However, it may limit your ability to use certain features or services.
14. Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal data, please contact us first at hello@socialvalueint.org. We will acknowledge your complaint within 30 days and respond without undue delay.
You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint or on 0303 123 1113. If you live in the EU, you may also contact your local data protection authority.
15. External links
Our website may contain links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content. You are encouraged to read their policies before submitting any personal data.
16. Business transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or business restructure, your data may be transferred to a successor organisation. Any such transfer will be carried out in compliance with Data Protection Laws and this policy.
17. Jurisdiction
This Privacy Policy is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
18. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal or operational changes. We will notify users of material updates via the Website or email. Continued use of our website indicates your acceptance of any changes.