Privacy Policy

1. Introduction
Soft Tissue Therapy Qualifications (STTQ) is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, share and protect personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and other applicable legislation.

This policy applies to:
• Visitors to our website
• Prospective learners
• Current learners
• Graduates
• Tutors
• Assessors
• Examiners
• Staff
• Contractors
• Applicants for employment
• Members of the public who contact us
By using our website or enrolling on one of our courses you acknowledge that your personal information will be processed as described in this policy.
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2. Data Controller
The Data Controller is:
Soft Tissue Therapy Qualifications (STTQ)
Email: admin@sttq.org
Telephone: 0208 450 5851
Postal Address: Unit 11. 100 Villiers Road, London. NW2 5PJ
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3. Personal Information We Collect
Depending upon your relationship with STTQ we may collect from your training centre:
Identity Information
• Name
• Date of birth
• Postal address
• Telephone numbers
• Email addresses
• Learner number
• Professional registration details where applicable
Course Information
• Applications
• Previous qualifications
• Attendance
• Coursework
• Examination results
• Practical assessment results
• Certificates awarded
• Qualification history
• Internal quality assurance records

Website Information
• IP address
• Browser type
• Device information
• Cookies
• Pages visited
• Usage statistics
Communication Records
• Emails
• Telephone conversations
• Support requests
• Feedback
• Complaints
• Appeals
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4. Why We Collect Your Information
We use your information to:
• Respond to enquiries
• Distribute education and training
• Assess competence
• Issue certificates
• Verify qualifications
• Provide learning resources
• Monitor academic progress
• Improve our services
• Meet legal obligations
• Prevent fraud
• Maintain quality assurance standards
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5. Our Lawful Basis
We process personal information under one or more of the following lawful bases:
• Performance of a contract
• Compliance with legal obligations
• Legitimate interests
• Consent
Where consent is used, you may withdraw it at any time.
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6. Online Learning Platform and Video Library
Learners enrolled on STTQ programmes receive access to our online learning resources.
These may include:
• Training videos
• Revision materials
• Course documents
• Assessment guidance
• Downloadable resources
To administer access we may record:
• Login information
• Course progress
• Resources accessed
• Time and date of access
• Downloads completed
These records help us:
• Support learners
• Resolve technical problems
• Improve learning resources
• Protect copyright
• Prevent unauthorised access
The online learning platform supplements classroom teaching and is not intended to replace supervised practical training.
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7. Learner Case Studies
STTQ qualifications require learners to complete clinical case studies.
Learners are responsible for obtaining informed consent from clients before collecting personal information for coursework purposes.
Case study records may contain:
• Client age
• Occupation
• Relevant medical history
• Presenting symptoms
• Assessment findings
• Treatment records
• Progress notes
• Outcomes
Learners should avoid recording unnecessary personal identifiers wherever possible.
Client information collected for educational purposes should be:
• kept securely
• only used for assessment
• only accessible to authorised tutors and assessors
• destroyed securely when no longer required.
STTQ may review anonymised or pseudonymised case studies for assessment and quality assurance purposes.
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8. Practical Assessment Videos
Practical skills assessments at training centres are recorded for STTQ accreditation.
These recordings may be used:
• to assess practical competence
• for internal moderation
• during appeals
• for quality assurance
Assessment recordings are only viewed by individuals authorised to do so, including:
• Tutors
• Practical assessors
• Internal quality assurance staff
• External quality assurers where required
Assessment recordings are never used for marketing without separate written consent.
Learners are informed whenever recording forms part of an assessment.
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9. ISRM membership
STTQ learners are given free membership with the Institute of Sport and Remedial Massage and may share relevant personal information necessary for membership administration.
This may include:
• Learner identification details
• Course enrolment
• Certification details
• Qualification completion dates
Information is shared solely for the administration of membership.
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10. Tutor, Assessor and Examiner Access
Coursework and assessment evidence may be viewed by authorised personnel including:
• Course tutors
• Practical assessors
• Written assessors
• Internal quality assurance staff
• External quality assurance personnel
• Appeals reviewers where necessary
Access is granted strictly on a need-to-know basis.
All personnel handling assessment information are expected to maintain confidentiality and comply with UK data protection legislation.
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11. Marketing Communications
We may occasionally contact:
• Prospective learners
• Former learners
• Graduates
• Previous enquirers
with information about:
• New courses
• Workshops
• CPD opportunities
• Events
• Open days
• Newsletters
Marketing communications are sent only were permitted under UK law.
You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link contained within marketing emails or by contacting us directly.
Withdrawal of marketing consent does not affect essential communications relating to your course or qualification.
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13. Sharing Information
We may share information with:
• ISRM
• External quality assurance personnel
• Independent assessors
• Payment processors
• Professional advisers
• Regulatory authorities where legally required
We never sell personal information.
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14. Security
STTQ uses appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information, including:
• Password protection
• Secure cloud storage
• Encrypted communications where appropriate
• Restricted staff access
• Secure disposal procedures
No online system can guarantee complete security, but we continually review and improve our safeguards.
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15. Retention of Information
We only retain information for as long as necessary.
Typical retention periods are:
Record Typical Retention
General enquiries Up to 2 years
Learner records Minimum 6 years after completion
Coursework and written assessments Normally 6 years after certification
Practical assessment records Normally 6 years after certification
Practical assessment videos Normally 30 days after recording to allow for an appeal or investigation
Internal quality assurance records Normally 6 years
Qualification registration records Retained unless requested not to.
Financial records Minimum 6 years
Marketing consent records Until consent is withdrawn
Some qualification records may be retained for longer where necessary to verify awards or comply with legal obligations.
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16. Your Rights
Under UK GDPR you have the right to:
• Access your personal information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request erasure where appropriate
• Restrict processing
• Object to processing
• Data portability where applicable
• Withdraw consent
• Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Requests should be made in writing using the contact details below.
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17. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites.
STTQ is not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.
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18. Changes to this Policy
We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology or our services.
The latest version will always be published on our website.
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19. Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or requests relating to your personal information, please contact:
Soft Tissue Therapy Qualifications
Email: admin@sttq.org
Telephone: 020 8450 5851
Address: Unit 11. 100 Villiers Road, London NW2 5PJ
If you remain dissatisfied after contacting us, you may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).