Cookie Policy

What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently and to provide information to website owners.

How we use cookies

The Stour Valley Care Group website uses a small number of cookies to ensure it functions correctly, and — only with your permission — to help us understand how visitors use our site. We do not use cookies for advertising or to track you across other websites.

When you first visit the site, a cookie banner asks whether you're happy for us to set analytics cookies. Analytics cookies are only set if you choose “Accept”. If you choose “Decline”, only essential cookies are used. You can change your mind at any time using the “Cookie Preferences” link in the footer of any page.

Types of cookies we use

Essential cookies

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually set in response to actions you take, such as filling in forms or setting your privacy preferences. You can configure your browser to block these cookies, but some parts of the website may not then work.

• Session cookie — keeps you logged in during a browsing session (admin users only).
• svcg-cookie-consent — remembers your cookie preference (Accept/Decline), stored in your browser's local storage rather than as a cookie, so we know not to ask again.

Analytics cookies

If you accept analytics cookies, we use Google Analytics (GA4) to understand how visitors use our site — such as which pages are most visited and how long visitors spend on the site. This helps us improve the website. Google Analytics uses cookies such as:

• _ga — distinguishes unique visitors. Typically expires after 2 years.
• _ga_* — used by Google Analytics 4 to persist session state. Typically expires after 2 years.

These cookies are only set after you accept them via the cookie banner. Data collected is processed by Google in line with their own privacy policy; we do not use it for advertising and do not share it with third parties beyond Google as our analytics provider.

Cookies we do not use

We do not use:

• Advertising or retargeting cookies
• Social media tracking cookies
• Third-party marketing cookies

Managing your cookie preferences

You can change your analytics cookie choice at any time by selecting Cookie Preferences in the footer of any page, which reopens the cookie banner.

Most web browsers also allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when a cookie is being sent. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect how the website functions.

For more information about managing cookies in your browser, visit allaboutcookies.org.

Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated revision date.

Contact us

If you have any questions about how we use cookies, please get in touch.