External DPO Services Data Protection Officer
Expert external Data Protection Officer appointment for organisations required to have a DPO under Article 37 of UK GDPR — schools, academies, MATs, public authorities and businesses processing large-scale sensitive data. Ongoing compliance monitoring, ICO liaison and practical data protection advice.
DPO Services We Provide
Complete DPO function from appointment to annual reporting.
Formal DPO Appointment
Statutory appointment as your Data Protection Officer. Published contact details, ICO registration, independence and reporting arrangements as required by Articles 37-39.
Compliance Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring of your data processing activities against UK GDPR requirements. Regular review visits, documentation checks and compliance scoring.
DPIA Support
Advice on when Data Protection Impact Assessments are required (Article 35) and support in conducting them for new systems, processes or technologies involving personal data.
SAR & FOI Management
Full management of Subject Access Requests and Freedom of Information requests — searching, exemptions, redaction and compliant response within statutory timescales.
Breach Response
Assessment and management of personal data breaches. ICO notification within 72 hours where required. Individual notification. Remediation advice.
Staff Training
Annual GDPR awareness training for all staff. Tailored to your sector and data processing activities. Training details →
ICO Liaison
Direct liaison with the Information Commissioner's Office on your behalf — correspondence, complaints, enquiries and any enforcement matters.
Annual Compliance Report
Comprehensive annual report to your board, governors or trustees summarising compliance status, activities, incidents, training and recommendations.
Risk Assessments for Your Sector
Every industry has different hazards. We tailor every assessment to your specific sector and operations.
Factories & Warehousing
Machinery, forklift, racking, noiseTransport & Logistics
Depot safety, loading bays, vehiclesConstruction
CDM, excavations, heights, demolitionSchools & Education
Classrooms, labs, playgrounds, tripsCare & Healthcare
Patient handling, clinical, infectionChemical
Process safety, COSHH, DSEARHospitality
Kitchens, fire, slips, public safetySMEs & Offices
DSE, fire, general workplaceCharities
Events, lone working, volunteersHow We Carry Out a Risk Assessment
Appointment
Formal acceptance of DPO appointment. Published contact details, ICO notification and establishment of reporting arrangements with your senior management.
Baseline Audit
Comprehensive GDPR compliance audit to establish your current position — processing activities, lawful bases, documentation, security measures and training status.
Compliance Programme
Development of a prioritised compliance programme addressing audit findings. Policies, procedures, privacy notices and documentation delivered in manageable phases.
Ongoing Monitoring
Regular compliance monitoring visits, SAR/FOI handling, DPIA advice, breach support and staff training throughout the year.
Annual Report
Comprehensive compliance report to your board summarising the year's activities, compliance status, incidents and recommendations for the year ahead.
External DPO FAQ
Does my organisation need a DPO?
You must appoint a DPO if you are a public authority (schools, councils, NHS), if your core activities require large-scale systematic monitoring of individuals (e.g. CCTV companies, credit reference agencies), or if you process large-scale special category data (health data, criminal records). Even if not legally required, many organisations benefit from having one.
What is the difference between internal and external DPO?
An internal DPO is an employee. An external DPO is a contracted specialist. External DPOs offer greater independence (no conflicts of interest), specialist expertise, cost savings and continuity. UK GDPR permits both arrangements provided the DPO has expert knowledge and can act independently.
How much does an external DPO cost?
Annual retainer based on organisation size and complexity. For schools, typically a fraction of an internal appointment salary. MAT packages offer per-school rates. All services included — no hourly extras. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Can one DPO serve a multi-academy trust?
Yes. A single DPO can serve multiple schools within a MAT, provided they are accessible to each school. RADCaT provides MAT-wide DPO services with consistent compliance standards across all trust schools.
What does the DPO actually do?
Monitors GDPR compliance, advises on data protection obligations, conducts or advises on DPIAs, handles SARs and FOIs, manages breach response, liaises with the ICO, delivers staff training and reports to your board on compliance status.
Do you handle Subject Access Requests?
Yes. Full SAR management — logging, identity verification, system searches, applying exemptions, redacting third-party data, compiling the response and ensuring delivery within the one-month statutory deadline.
How quickly can you start?
We can accept appointment within days. The baseline audit typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on organisation size. Ongoing DPO services commence immediately from appointment.
Need an External DPO?
Get in touch for a free discussion. We'll assess your DPO requirement and provide a tailored quote.