Confidentiality – when and how to break it
Breaking confidentiality (telling someone else about information that has been disclosed to you) can be a grey area. So, it’s
important to have an agreed policy on how and when to break confidentiality.
Recommendations for when and how to break confidentiality
We suggest your policy enables you to break confidentiality if:
There is immediate danger. If a person has clearly told you There is a safeguarding concern that may have a wider
that they plan to take their life within the next 24 hours, or impact. For example, if someone alleges that they have
has already taken action which puts their life in danger, but been abused by a volunteer but asks you not to say
does not want to seek support themselves and does not anything. You would have to report this as it’s in the public
give their consent for you to do so – call 999. interest that it’s investigated.
The person is physically present at your club or group and is There is a safeguarding issue that concerns a child. Follow
experiencing a crisis. You should act immediately to get your safeguarding policy for children and young people.
them support. This may involve contacting their emergency
If you think that the person is an adult at risk and they do
contact* or a mental health professional.
not want you to make a safeguarding referral, still follow
The person is planning to take action that will put others at your safeguarding adults’ process and discuss with your
risk (for example, stepping in front of a train). We suggest safeguarding lead or anonymously with your Safeguarding
calling 999. Adults Board or Partnership.
The person is under 18. In these situations, the young
person’s welfare should come first and we suggest
contacting their emergency contact* and seeking support
from 999.
*Don’t contact their emergency contact if the disclosure is linked to that
person. Only contact their emergency contact if it is safe to do so.
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