Confidentiality Policy

Principle
A clear, explicit and well publicised confidentiality policy ensures good practice throughout the school which staff, (including staff from external agencies), parents/carers and children can easily understand. 
Aim:

• To ensure that all members of staff working in school are clear about the levels of confidentiality that they can offer to the school community and expect themselves.
• For everyone to understand the varying levels of confidentiality which might be offered in different circumstances.  

All staff members: Confidentiality and pupils

• We recognise that there are occasions when children are worried about something and feel unable to talk about it to their parents/carers.
• When talking to children, it is important to be aware of maintaining professional boundaries. Whilst being supportive whenever possible, care should be taken not to get emotionally involved and children should be encouraged to access support from others with appropriate expertise within or linked to the school community.
• It must be made clear to children that unconditional confidentiality cannot be offered.
• Children should be warned that if there are child protection/safeguarding issues and the child or others are likely to be at risk of significant harm, the adult is under a duty to inform the school�s Child Protection Liaison Officer who may have to involve other agencies.
• School staff can only offer confidentiality to children on issues that do not involve significant illegal activities e.g. arson, drugs. If the conversation begins to move to this kind of issue, the child must be warned that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
• In all cases where you have to break confidentiality with a child, they must be informed and reassured that their best interests will be maintained.
• In talking with children, they need to be encouraged to talk to their parents/carers about the issue that may be troubling them and support in doing this should be offered where appropriate.
• Children should be made aware of the specialist confidential services that may be available within the school community e.g. school nurse, Elsa. Police Liaison officer.

The School Nurse and school based health service: Confidentiality and pupils
The requirement to offer a confidential service is within the professional Code of Practice for school nurses and other health service staff.� Health professionals like everyone else, must inform appropriate services if they become aware of a child protection/safeguarding issue in discussions with a young person.
School mentoring projects involving adult mentors e.g. students: Confidentiality and pupils.

• If a child discloses either any form of abuse or anything else that is a threat to their safety the Child Protection Liaison Officer must be informed.
• If a child is about to disclose this sort of information, the adult must tell them that they need to take them to a member of staff, possibly as an advocate to help them.  

Parents and Families: Confidentiality and information about parents/carers and families.
As a school we recognise that sometimes there may be family issues which might affect a child in school and which the family will only disclose to a member of staff if they can be sure the information is treated confidentially. We will respect the wishes of the family and where it is felt necessary to share the information given to us, this will be discussed with the parents/carers first unless a child is considered to be at immediate risk and/or there is an overriding child protection/safeguarding concern. 

Staff: Confidentiality and information about staff.

• All staff can normally expect that their personal situations and health will remain confidential unless:
• It impinges on their terms of contract
• Endangers pupils or other members of staff or
• There is a legal obligation to disclose information or
• It is necessary for legal proceedings or
• Despite the duty of confidence, the staff member�s interest or the wider public interest justifies disclosure. 
  
  

• Ensuring areas needing developments feature in the school improvement plan.
• Ensuring staff are aware of their responsibilities.
• Collecting and using any relevant information gathered during policy reviews to inform planning.
• Reporting any relevant information to the Governing Body.