Social Worker advising breaching confidentiality?

[Inthethickofit]

Hello,

My Daughter is on a CPP for potential neglect. This has all been rectified and we are in the final throws of her coming off the CPP having followed all guidelines set by the SW and CPP.

My Daughter sees her Father quite frequently and recently has a friend from school coming to play with her, at her Fathers home, during the school holidays.

This was disclosed by Father at a Core Group meeting to SW.

The SW called me to advise me that both myself and Father MUST, by LAW, tell Parents of children playing with my Daughter, either here or at Fathers, that my Daughter is on a CPP.

This sounds very odd to me. Here are my concerns:

1. I have concerns that if Parents are told then what effect this may have on my Daughter and her social interactions (Parents can be unforgiving and children more so). She is soon to be a teenager!

2. Is it a legality and if so then how much information should both myself and Father disclose!

3. Confidentiality has been stressed thoughout this case - isn't this our confidential information - if anything needs disclosing then shouldn't the SW do this as part of her job?

Please advise

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear In the thick of it

My name is Suzie, one of FRG's online advisers. Welcome to the parents' discussion board. I am sorry that you are going through such difficulties in respect of the share of information regarding your child's status on a multi-agency child protection plan.

From the details in your post, it is unclear how long and under what circumstances the child has been a regular visitor to your ex partner’s household, and the category of child protection concern. Either way, the relevant risk assessment should be completed to establish what if any further action, or support is required.

In the first instance, I would request the social worker provides you with a written copy of the disclosure law where parents’ are required to inform other parents’ of relevant child protection status information, and the implications for not doing so.

Since your daughter is not able to give informed consent, consideration can be given to you, as her next of kin providing this information. As you have highlighted, the social worker could (with your permission) share the fact your daughter is on a child protection plan with the family, if relevant to do so in order to safeguard the other child’s welfare.

However, were Children’s Services to assess an immediate safeguarding risk (involving the other child, as a result of having direct contact with your family), under section 47 Children Act, the Local Authority can share information, without your consent.

You may wish to refer to access to information (page 4 – 6) and gives good practice guidelines for information sharing for professionals involved in the child protection process.

I hope this helps.

Best Wishes

Suzie