DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
Annex A
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.
gov.uk
Our Ref: FOI 5028
24 October 2013
Annex A
Dear Mr Palmer
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request which was received on 20 October 2013.
In that request, you asked:
“Does personal data entered and uploaded (like a CV or personalal profile) on
www.avantajobs.com by Work Programme or DWP contracted provision participants belong to
the DWP as Data Controller? How do participants get copies of all of their personal data on
this recruitment website during or after their participation has ended? Can Avanta mandate a
participant onto www.avantajobs.com if they did not sign Avanta's Customer Agreement Form
or they wish to withdraw all Agreements made on this form in writing?”
Work Programme providers are carrying out work on behalf of the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) and require access to individuals’ personal data and information held by the
Department to be able to provide the required services. In this situation, where personal data is
loaded onto www.avantajobs.com DWP remains the data controller and the provider acts as
the data processor as defined by the Data Protection Act. Work Programme providers are
required under the terms of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contracts to comply
with the legal requirements of the Data Protection Act and Information Disclosure, ensuring the
security of all personal and sensitive information remains properly protected.
If a participant would like a copy of their personal data held on www.avantajobs.com they
should raise a request for personal information (Subject Access Request), on the form
available on the Government website at the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-request-for-personal-information.
Work Programme participants are not mandated to use www.avantajobs.com and can
therefore choose not to use this site to help them get a job. If a participant wishes to stop using
the website they can do so. However, choosing not to use this website will reduce the amount
of support that Avanta can provide in helping them find a job.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Central FoI Team
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any
review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk