Confidentiality
Network Circle for Deafness aims to provide a safe and welcoming environment to all staff, volunteers, members and users of our services. In order to achieve this, it is essential that confidentiality remains a priority at all times.
Staff Details
All personal details will be kept in a secure place (locked filling cabinet or password protected electronic format) and access will only be provided as necessary to other staff for the completion of duties, example wages. Access MUST be approved by the manager or a member of the board.
Personal details will not be passed to another staff member or any other third party without prior consent from the individual, except where necessary for the completion of duties of under the conditions governing breach of confidentiality. See section circumstances under which confidentiality may be broken.
Client Details
All personal details will be kept in a secure place (locked filing cabinet or password protected electronic format) and access will only be provided as necessary to other staff employees or volunteer for the completion of duties example contact in the case of cancellation of appointments, cover over staff holidays, sickness. Access must be approved by the manager or director unless previously agreed with the client.
Personal details will not be passed to a third party without prior consent from the individual except where necessary for the completion of duties or under the conditions governing breach of confidentiality. Access MUST be approved by the Chairperson or a director.
Breach of confidentiality
Circumstances under which confidentiality may be broken
- Serious risk to self and/or others – Where a staff member or volunteer, has reason to believe that an individual poses a serious risk to staff and/or others.
- Terrorism – If a staff employee or volunteer, has a reason to believe that an act of terrorism has been or is about to be committed. Disclosure is mandatory.
- Treason – If a staff employee or volunteer has a reason to believe that an act of treason has been or is about to be committed. Disclosure is mandatory
- Child Protection issues – If a staff employee or volunteer receives information that indicates that a child may be at risk. If a staff employee or volunteer believes that a child has been or being abused all interaction must stop immediately. Disclosure is mandatory
- Vulnerable adults – If a staff employee or volunteer receives information that a vulnerable adult may be at risk from abuse, whether that abuse be verbal, physical, sexual, emotional or financial.
Under any of the above circumstances, the staff employee volunteer should report to one of the following people, with the individuals’ knowledge (if personal safety is not compromised) but not necessarily their consent.
- Chairperson
- A Director