U02 LO3 Confidentiality and Information Sharing LO3.3.4

• Health and social care
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

U02 LO3

Conflicts or dilemmas in relation to sharing information and maintaining confidentiality

U02 Task 3 LO3.3.4 

Today we will.

03.3.4 Explain why there may be conflicts or dilemmas in relation to sharing information and maintaining confidentiality.

Share any experiences or thoughts
on confidentiality and information
sharing in an early years setting.

What is a conflict? 

Definition: A conflict arises when individuals or groups have different needs or interests.

Example: In an early years setting, a conflict might occur if a parent wants to keep certain information private, but staff must share the information for the child’s safety.

What is a dilemma?

Definition: A dilemma is when a difficult choice must be made between two or more options.

Example: A dilemma in an early years setting could involve deciding whether to break confidentiality to report a suspicion of abuse, knowing it might damage the trust with the family but is necessary to protect the child.

What is a conflict?
What is a dilemma?

When sharing information we must consider the following areas.

1. Balancing Child Safety and Privacy
2. Parental Consent and Rights
   
3. Professional Boundaries
   
4. Legal and Ethical Considerations
   
5. Trust and Relationships

What is the conflict or dilemma in relation to sharing information and maintaining confidentiality in early years practice?

1. Balancing Child Safety and Privacy

Child Protection: When there are concerns about a child’s safety or well-being, sharing information with the relevant authorities is crucial. However, this can conflict with the need to maintain the family’s privacy. You may also feel you are breaking their trust.

 

Duty of Care: Professionals have a duty to protect children from harm, which means breaking confidentiality to report suspicions of abuse or harm. 

1. A parent in your setting asks you for the names and addresses of children in the class so she can send out birthday invitations.

1. The Equal Opportunities Policy.
2. The Safeguarding Policy.
3. The Confidentiality Policy.
4. The Play and Learning Policy.

2. Parental Consent and Rights

Informed Consent: Parents have the right to consent to information about their child being shared with others. Obtaining parental consent to share information can be challenging, especially if parents are reluctant or do not understand why their consent is needed. Parent consent can also conflict with the need share information without their consent.

Parental Rights: Parents have the right to know what information is being shared about their child, however if there are concerns that the parent may be causing harm then it is

necessary to share the information without their consent for the child’s protection.  We have  a duty of care to protect children from harm, which means breaking confidentiality to report suspicions of abuse or harm. 

2. A teacher in an early years setting notices that Child A has several unexplained bruises. The child said that his mum hurt him again. The Safeguarding Officer decides to share the concerns with the early years Social Work team.

What statement is TRUE?

1. The safeguarding office will immediately share the information with the rest of the teaching team.
2. The safeguarding officer cannot share safeguarding concerns about a child when an allegation is made against the parent.
3. The safeguarding officer will speak to the parents and then contact the Social Work team.
4. The safeguardign officer can share safeguarding concerns about a child when an allegation is made against the parent.

3. Professional Boundaries

Working in partnership with other professionals: Effective support for children's development, health and well-being often requires sharing information with other professionals and agencies. However, this must be balanced with the need to respect confidentiality agreements.

Confidentiality Agreements: Professionals are bound by confidentiality agreements and ethical guidelines, which can create dilemmas when deciding what information to share and with whom. 

3. Child A shows signs of a language delay and has been referred to the speech and language therapist (SLT). The STL has asked the manager for copies of the child's assessment records and test scores to date.

1. Speak with the parents and ask consent to share the information with a speech and language specialist.
2. Share all of the information with a speech and language specialist without the parents consent.
3. Do nothing.
4. Tell the speech and language specialist you have no information to share with them.

4. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Data Protection Laws: 

The Data Protection Act 1998 and The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018 require that personal information is handled, stored securely and shared only when necessary and lawful. 

Ethical Dilemmas: We must balance the need to share information for the child’s benefit with the obligation to maintain confidentiality. Information must only be shared on a needs-to-know basis.

4. A parent tells you that they left their child alone for a short period of time on Saturday afternoon but asks you not to tell anyone. What would you do and what policy would you follow?

5. Trust and Relationships

Building Trust: Maintaining confidentiality is key to building trust with children and their families. Breaking this trust, even for valid reasons, can damage relationships with a child's family. 

Inform parents: Being open and transparent about the reasons for sharing information and how this will happen can help parents understand the confidentiality policies and procedures can help avoid conflicts, but this requires careful communication and sensitivity. Early years staff can feel conflicted over sharing information as they know this may result in the family feeling they cannot trust you.

5. Child B has been showing signs of distress and has become unusually withdrawn. Her teacher is concerned and wants to ensure B’s well-being while maintaining confidentiality and trust with B's family. What will the teacher do?

1. Arrange a meeting with B's parents to discuss the concerns and seek permission to monitor B more closely.
2. Do nothing.
3. Monitor B more closely but don't tell B's parents.
4. Arrange a meeting with B's parents to tell them they must improve their parenting skills.

2 things you know more about.
1 thing you would like to know more on.