This notice explains how Portsmouth City Council collects, uses and protects information obtained through the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).
For general information about how Portsmouth City Council processes personal information for public health purposes, please see the Public Health Privacy Notice.
Who we are
Portsmouth City Council Public Health is part of Portsmouth City Council, which is the data controller for the personal information described in this notice.
Contact details
Public Health Intelligence Team
Public Health Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council
Floor 2, Core 2
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AL
Email: publichealth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Telephone: 023 9268 8217
What information we collect
Every year in England, children in Reception and Year 6 have their height and weight measured as part of the National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP).
The programme helps build an understanding of national and local trends in child growth and weight. This information helps ensure that appropriate advice, services and support can be provided for children and families.
Before measurements take place, parents, carers and guardians receive information explaining:
- What the NCMP is.
- Why measurements are collected.
- How the information will be used.
- How they can opt their child out of the programme.
- That children will not be made to take part if they do not wish to.
Measurements are carried out by trained school nursing staff from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in a private area away from other pupils.
Children are measured fully clothed, except for coats and shoes.
In addition to height and weight measurements, the following information is collected:
- Child's name
- Date of birth
- Sex
- Address
- Postcode
- Ethnicity
Portsmouth City Council collects this information in accordance with the Local Authority (Public Health, Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny) Regulations 2013.
Where we get your information from
Information is collected through the National Child Measurement Programme in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and participating schools.
Information is obtained directly through the measurement programme and associated health records.
Why we use your information
NCMP information is used to:
- Understand local and national trends in child growth and healthy weight.
- Support planning and commissioning of services for children and families.
- Help provide advice and support relating to healthy lifestyles.
- Monitor population health and wellbeing.
- Inform public health planning and service improvement.
The information supports both local public health work and national analysis.
How we use personal information
The information collected through the NCMP is used by Portsmouth City Council and NHS organisations to help plan and improve services that support healthy weight and healthier lifestyles.
Information is also submitted for national analysis and reporting in a way that means individual children cannot be identified.
Parents and carers receive feedback on their child's measurements following participation in the programme.
Our lawful basis for processing
UK GDPR Article 6
The lawful basis for processing personal data is:
Article 6(1)(e) UK GDPR – Public Task
Processing is necessary for Portsmouth City Council to perform its official functions and public health responsibilities.
UK GDPR Article 9
The condition for processing special category personal data is:
Article 9(2)(i) UK GDPR – Public Health
Processing is necessary for reasons of public interest in the area of public health, including monitoring and improving the health of the population.
Automated decision-making and profiling
Portsmouth City Council does not use automated decision-making or profiling in relation to the processing described in this privacy notice.
Who we share your information with
Information held by Portsmouth City Council is stored securely by the Public Health Intelligence Team.
Most information produced from NCMP data is published only as anonymous statistics through reports, publications and papers presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board and partner organisations.
We never publish information that could directly identify an individual child.
As joint data controllers, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust also stores a record of the child's height and weight measurements within the child's health record and may share this information with the child's GP.
No individual measurements are shared with:
- School staff
- Other pupils
- Members of the public
Portsmouth City Council also submits NCMP data to NHS England, where it is stored securely and used for national analysis and reporting.
How we keep your information secure
Portsmouth City Council processes personal information in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Information is stored within secure systems and is only accessible to authorised members of Portsmouth City Council's Public Health Intelligence Team.
Staff with access to the information are trained in:
- Data protection
- Information governance
- Confidentiality requirements
We have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place to protect information and prevent unauthorised access, use or disclosure.
How long we keep your information
Portsmouth City Council retains personal information only for as long as necessary and in accordance with:
- National guidance
- Corporate retention schedules
- The Records Management Code of Practice for Health and Social Care
The NCMP retention period is aligned with the retention requirements for child health records.
Your data protection rights
Under UK data protection law, you have rights which may include:
- Access to your personal information
- Correction of inaccurate information
- Restriction of processing in certain circumstances
- Objection to processing in certain circumstances
Subject access requests
You can ask whether Portsmouth City Council holds personal information about you or your child.
If we do hold information, we will:
- Provide a description of the information held.
- Explain why we hold it.
- Explain who it may be disclosed to.
- Provide a copy in an understandable format where applicable.
Requests should be sent to:
Data Protection Officer
Portsmouth City Council
Civic Offices
Portsmouth
PO1 2AL
Complaints and queries
If you would like further information about how NCMP information is processed, please contact:
Public Health Intelligence Team
Public Health Portsmouth
Portsmouth City Council
Floor 2, Core 2
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
PO1 2AL
Email: publichealth@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Telephone: 023 9268 8217
If you are unhappy with how your information has been used, you can contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).
Information Commissioner's Office
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 0303 123 1113
Further information can be found on the Information Commissioner's Office website.
Changes to this privacy notice
We keep this privacy notice under regular review.
Last updated: 5 June 2026