Deptford Green School Confidentiality Policy

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Guidelines for all school staff We recognise that there are occasions when pupils are worried about something and feel that they cannot talk about it to their parents/carers. This can result in enormous stress for the individual which impacts on their education and health. Some pupils may feel that they can turn to teachers and other staff members for support and we want to be as helpful as we can whilst recognising that there may be some potential difficulties in being supportive. All staff at Deptford Green will adhere to the following policy: When talking with pupils, it is important for you to be aware of maintaining your professional boundaries. You must be clear to pupils that you cannot offer unconditional confidentiality when a pupil first begins to talk about something where confidentiality may become an issue. Pupils should be warned that if there is a child protection issue where the pupil, or others, is likely to be at risk of significant harm, you are under a duty to inform the school’s Child Protection Designated Teacher who may have to involve other agencies. It is important that each member of staff deals with this sensitively and explains to the pupil that they must inform the appropriate people who can help the child, but that they will only tell those who need to know in order to help. In all cases where you feel that you have to break confidentiality with the pupil, you must inform the pupil, (unless there is a good reason not to inform them e.g. risk of harm) and reassure them that their best interests will be maintained. In talking with pupils, you need to encourage them to talk to their parents/carers about the issue that may be troubling them and support in doing this should be offered where appropriate. All information about individual children is private and should only be shared with those staff who have a need to know. All personal information about children including social services records should be regarded as confidential. All social services, medical and personal information about a child should be held in a safe and secure place which cannot be accessed by individuals other than those key school staff who need to know this information. Information such as medical reports, SEN reports, SEN minutes of meetings and social services minutes of meetings and reports will be sent between key members of staff in sealed envelopes and once read should destroyed or securely filed. Mentoring programme Mentors are not allowed to promise to keep secrets but all conversations between the mentor and mentee will be kept confidential except in the following circumstances: If a pupil discloses either any form of abuse or anything else that would make them worry about their safety. If the mentee is about to disclose this sort of information, the mentor must tell them that they will need to take it to the Child Protection Designated Teacher. In the classroom in the course of a lesson given by a member of teaching staff or an outside visitor including health professionals. Careful thought will be to be given to the content of the lesson. Ground rules must be established to ensure confidential disclosures are not made. It should be made clear to pupils that this is not the time or place to disclose confidential personal information. When a health professional is contributing to a school’s health education programme in a classroom setting, they are working with the same boundaries of confidentiality as a teacher. Page 2
Disclosures to a counsellor, school nurse or health professional operating a confidential service in the school Health professionals such as school nurses can give confidential medical advice to pupils provided they are competent to do so and follow the Fraser Guidelines (guidelines for doctors and other health professionals on giving medical advice to under 16’s). School nurses are skilled in discussing issues and possible actions with young people and always have in mind the need to encourage pupils to discuss issues with their parents or carers. However, the needs of the pupil are paramount and the school nurse will not insist that a pupil’s parents or carers are informed about any advice or treatment they give. Contraceptive advice and pregnancy The Department of Health has issued guidance (July 2004) which clarifies and confirms that health professionals owe young people under 16 the same duty of care and confidentiality as older patients. The duty of care and confidentiality applies to all under-16’s. However, the younger the patient the greater the concern that they may be being abused or exploited. The Guidance makes it clear that health professionals must make time to explore whether there may be coercion or abuse. Cases of grave concern should be referred through child protection procedures. Information for Staff and Governors All staff can normally expect that their personal situations and health will remain confidential unless: It impinges on their terms of contract or Endangers pupils or other members of staff or There is a legal obligation to disclose such 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. Information for Parents/Carers and Families The school prides itself on good communication with parents and carers and staff are always available to talk to both children and parents/carers about issues that are causing concern. Our staff will be supportive to pupils who approach them with concerns but will make it clear that they cannot offer confidentiality to the pupil on anything that involves an illegal activity or anything that is a potential child protection issue where the pupil or others are likely to be at risk of significant harm. The school encourages children to talk to parents/carers about issues causing them concern and may in some cases support a child to talk to their parents in school. Senior staff in the school will liaise with parents/carers as appropriate in cases where a staff member has reported an issue over which they cannot offer confidentiality. All parents are written to in Year 7 asking whether or not they give permission for their child’s photograph to be used in school publications, the school website and at times in the local media. Replies are stored in the students’ file and electronic record. If there is then to be a larger publicity campaign involving particular children, such as the promotion of the school by Lewisham for open events, the school contacts the families involved to seek additional permission. Page 3
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Page 5: Development Process This policy was

Deptford Green School Confidentiality Policy

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