Confidentiality Policy Guidance for Primary Schools - the Essex Clerks

Confidentialityin theClassroomExternal visitorsPassing oninformationindiscriminatelyDissemination of PolicyInformingparents/carersof your school’sconfidentialitypolicyInformingchildren of yourschool’sconfidentialitypolicy• Ground rules make it clear to pupils that personalquestions or disclosures are inappropriate inclassroom lessons.*• Pupils are dissuaded from exerting pressure onanyone to answer personal questions.*• When situations and issues are discussed,depersonalisation techniques are used (e.g.collecting group ideas, using case studies) so thatissues can be explored without personalinformation being disclosed.*• Outside agencies are made aware of theconfidentiality policy and work within its limitswhen delivering any part of the PSHEcurriculum.*• Other professionals work within their own codesof confidentiality when they deliver their servicesto individual children.*• All staff are aware that they should not pass oninformation about children or their parents/carersindiscriminately.*• Provision has been made for keeping informationheld in the school office confidential.* What is thisprovision?• Staff have considered the suitability of thesurroundings and the presence of other peoplewhen they have conversations with children,parents or carers that may need to be keptconfidential.*• Is talking about personal situations of staff, pupilsand parents discouraged?*• Are parents/carers aware of the school’sconfidentiality policy?*• How are parents/carers informed of policy?• If a level of confidentiality is offered, is provisionmade for parents/carers to speak confidentially tostaff and are parents/carers made aware of thisprovision?*• Are parents/carers aware that you can never offercomplete confidentiality if you deem thatsomeone is at risk from harm?*• Are children aware that you cannot offer completeconfidentiality – and that you will need to tellsomeone else if you deem that the child orsomeone else is at risk from harm?*You can neveroffer completeconfidentiality asif you suspectanyone is at riskfrom harm, youhave to pass theinformation on.N.B. You do not need to have a separate confidentiality policy; it may be included as a subsectionof another policy. e.g. PSHE policy

Name of school:Date of Policy:Member(s) of staffResponsible:Review Date:INTRODUCTIONConfidentiality Policy Framework1) Background Information*2) Aims and Objectives of Policy*3) Moral and Values Framework*4) Equal Opportunities Statement*5) Policy StatementPRACTICE1) Personal Disclosures2) Confidentiality in the classroomSetting ground rulesDepersonalising3) Other Professionals Working in School4) Data Protection5) Dissemination* Not necessary if attached to another Policy