Mick Savage is a notorious figure in the town of Langley, with six children by different partners and a public profile because of appearances on a daytime reality TV show. Away from the limelight, there are more serious issues. Savage has convictions for drug-related activity and low-level violence. Three of his children live with him and his current partner Vonnie, but the others live with their mothers. Social workers have concerns about Savage’s treatment of the family that he lives with, and whether his access to his children is in their best interests. Vonnie has confided in her social worker that she doesn’t feel safe, as some of Mick’s friends appear to be involved in a gang.

Meghan aged one, Bella aged 3 and Jayden aged 4 live with Mick and Vonnie. Stevie and Danny are twins aged 9, living with their mum Sal and her husband Phil. Shannon aged 11 lives with her mum Laurie and her partner Denise. Mick sees Stevie and Danny on arranged visits at agreed locations, but Shannon has said recently that she wants nothing to do with her father. Mick claims his eldest daughter has been manipulated by Laurie and Denise, but teachers say that she is a bright and independent girl likely to know her own mind.

Out of all this comes two subject access requests from Mick, one to the school attended by Shannon and the twins and one to the Council. Mick is suspicious that Langley Council wants to deny him access to the twins, and take the children he lives with into care, so he wants to see data relating to himself and all of the children. You work for the Council as DPO, and although the school is a separate entity, they ask for your help. Mick’s data is mixed up with that of Vonnie and Sal as well as the kids. There are case notes and reports from social workers, input from educational psychologists about the twins, as well as emails, notes and other data. None of the adults are happy with Mick getting access to this data. Your job is advise the two organisations on what to do.