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Confidentiality

All people who engage with Children's Services have a right to have sensitive information kept confidential.

Keeping information confidential

We all have a responsibility to make sure that the information that we are given in the course of our work is kept confidential.  Any access to this information must comply with the access to records procedure .

When a person is too young to understand or an adult lacks capacity and is incapable of managing their own affairs, appropriate consent , if required, should be sought from the person with the legal authority to act on their behalf.  Where possible the case worker must get the appropriate consent form signed. This consent form establishes with users that they agree to information being sought and shared with other partner agencies.

Children, young people and families, should be informed that in relation to children being at risk of significant harm information may need to be shared with or without their consent.

Any concerns regarding the possible abuse of a child must be passed on using the child protection guidelines , in which case confidentiality can be overridden.

Cases should not be discussed where there is a risk of the conversation being overheard e.g. on public transport.

Keeping records confidential Case files can only be removed from the office with the team manager's approval and their new location must be logged using the computer system.

All cases that are being transferred to other teams who are in different buildings need to be couriered and must never be sent by post.