Confidentiality

Confidentiality and trust are fundamental principles, which must guide BEGIN. Information about an individual Service User, member or employee is considered to be the property of that person alone and is deemed always to be confidential unless that individual gives consent for information to be disclosed.

Within service delivery and personal support or supervision there must be a shared understanding of the boundaries of confidentiality between individuals and between the organisation, its Service Users, staff and members.

No one in contact with BEGIN or working within the organisation can assume that they have "a right or need, to know". Only the individual concerned has the right to decide who should be informed. Only information agreed by the individual concerned may be given to others. However, if abuse of another is apparent or suspected members must follow the [Child] Protection Policy.

The person who receives a confidence is often in a difficult position. It may help to discuss the situation during support and supervision without naming the subject. This does not breach confidentiality, providing great care is taken not to give clues to the subject’s identity. It is important that staff, sessional workers and volunteers when working with people state that you are required to access support and supervision for your own well being, the continuity and professionalism of your work and to safeguard the project.