Confidentiality and Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy

Family Rights Group has significant contact with families. We have a rigorous recruitment strategy. This includes Disclosure and Barring Service checks for all staff and contractors.

Confidentiality is normally assured to anyone who contacts us, including anyone seeking advice or advocacy.

Family Rights Group staff will only pass on personal information to statutory agencies with the direct permission of the client. This will usually be requested in writing, unless it is agreed there is a matter of urgency and then verbal permission will suffice. Written confirmation will then be sought as soon as possible. Statutory agencies include children’s services departments and the police.

Family Rights Group will only pass on personal information to other charities and voluntary sector organisations, who may be able to provide a client with additional advice and support, with the direct permission of the client. This permission can be verbal or in writing. Family Right’s Group’s voluntary sector referral partners include Become, Family Action and Help on Your Doorstep.

There are two exceptions to this general principle:

1. Children

If information is disclosed, or a situation arises, which causes any person carrying out work for Family Rights Group to think that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm and that the relevant statutory agencies are unaware of this information then the worker will encourage the client to pass this information to the relevant statutory agency.

But where:

• It is impossible for the worker to progress the discussion with the client about passing on this information or
• It is not considered to be safe to discuss this with the client or
• The client is unwilling to pass on this information themselves

then a decision needs to be taken whether to break confidentiality and inform the relevant agency.

This must be discussed between the worker and their line manager, or if they are not available, with another member of the management team. Final decisions about breaking confidentiality will be made by a member of Family Rights Group’s safeguarding management team. The only exception will be in an emergency where there is immediate threat to life or limb. We will create and maintain a record of the discussion.

2. Adults

If any person carrying out work for Family Rights Group has reason to believe that another adult is at significant risk of serious harm, then that worker will encourage the client to pass this information to the relevant statutory agency. Where:

• It has not been possible for the worker to progress the discussion with the client about passing on this information or
• It is not considered to be safe to discuss this with the client or
• The client is unwilling to pass on this information themselves

then a decision needs to be taken whether to break confidentiality and inform the relevant agency.

This must be discussed between the worker and their line manager, or if they are not available, another member of the management team. Final decisions about breaking confidentiality will be made by a member of Family Rights Group’s safeguarding management team. The only exception would be in an emergency where there is immediate threat to life or limb. We will create and maintain a record of the discussion.

• Advice and Advocacy Service Privacy Policy
• Advice forums privacy policy
• Data protection, privacy and communications policy