Embedded Files
Purpose
Happy Hatching Mind recognises that the confidential and professional relationship between each client and the practitioner underpins the effectiveness, integrity and credibility of the services provided.
Confidentiality supports clients in having privacy and an appropriate environment in which to explore personal experiences, thoughts and feelings. Any unnecessary limitation on confidentiality may diminish the usefulness of counselling and support services.
Happy Hatching Mind is committed to protecting client confidentiality while recognising that confidentiality is not absolute and that there are circumstances in which information may need to be shared to protect clients or others.
Professional Standards
I adhere to the ethical principles, confidentiality requirements and best-practice guidance of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS), together with relevant legal and professional obligations.
All personal information relating to clients will be treated with care, respect and confidentiality.
This may include:
Names and contact details
Addresses and telephone numbers
Biographical information
Personal, family and relationship circumstances
Health and wellbeing information
Session content and clinical records
Any other information that could identify an individual
Confidentiality in Supervision
I attend clinical supervision on a monthly basis to support my professional practice and provide an appropriate standard of care to clients.
Where client work is discussed in supervision, I will take reasonable steps to protect the client’s identity and confidentiality. Specific clients will not be identified to supervisors or other third parties unless:
The information is appropriately anonymised; or
The client has provided consent; or
Disclosure is necessary under one of the recognised exceptions to confidentiality.
Personally identifiable information will be handled with particular care, and only information relevant to the purpose of supervision or professional consultation will be shared.
Protection of Identifiable Information
To support confidentiality, each client will be allocated a reference number. This reference number will be used in correspondence and documentation wherever reasonably possible.
Client names, telephone numbers and addresses will not be included in general correspondence relating to their therapeutic work, except where communication is:
Directly with the client themselves
With a third party where the client has provided consent
Necessary for safeguarding, legal or other recognised professional purposes
Where communication with a third party is requested or indicated, consent will normally be obtained from the client.
Consent will be recorded in writing wherever possible. Where verbal consent is obtained, this will be recorded where possible and clearly documented in the client’s case notes.
Consent to Information Sharing
Where a client asks me to speak to another person or organisation on their behalf, the request will normally be documented in writing.
The record will identify:
Who information may be shared with
The topics or information that may be discussed
Any limitations placed on the communication
The client’s consent to the arrangement
Where possible, this record will be signed by both the client and practitioner.
Where written consent is not reasonably possible, verbal consent may be obtained and will be recorded where possible and clearly documented in the case notes.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
Confidentiality may need to be limited where there is a significant concern about the safety or wellbeing of the client or another person, where disclosure is required by law, or where another recognised professional or safeguarding obligation applies.
Information may be shared in the following circumstances:
Risk of harm to the client
If I have significant concerns that a client may be at risk of serious harm or is a danger to themselves, I may seek advice or share information with appropriate professionals. Depending on the circumstances, this may include:
The client’s emergency contact, where appropriate
The client’s GP or other relevant healthcare professional
My clinical supervisor
Emergency or emergency safeguarding services where necessary
The nature and extent of information shared will be proportionate to the concern and the action required.
Risk of harm to others
If I have significant concerns that a client may pose a serious risk of harm to another person, or that another person is at immediate risk of harm, I may contact the police or other appropriate emergency or safeguarding services.
Terrorism and serious criminal activity
Where I am legally required to disclose information relating to terrorism, including plans or intentions concerning future terrorist acts, I will comply with the relevant legal requirements.
Where the law requires information concerning plans to commit certain serious offences to be disclosed to the police, I will comply with those requirements and will not prejudice any investigation by informing another person, including the client, where the law prohibits such disclosure.
Court orders and legal requirements
If I am compelled to disclose information under a Court Order or another lawful legal requirement, confidentiality may be overridden.
Where legally and practically appropriate, I will inform the client of the situation. However, consent will not be required where disclosure is legally compelled.
Safeguarding concerns
If information disclosed during a session gives me cause for concern about the safety or welfare of a child or an adult at risk, I may seek advice from the appropriate safeguarding authority or make a safeguarding referral.
Depending on the circumstances and location of the person concerned, this may include contacting the relevant Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), safeguarding team, emergency service or other appropriate agency.
For clients or individuals connected with Luton, this may include contacting Luton Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for advice on how to proceed.
Informing Clients of a Breach
Where it is safe, lawful and appropriate to do so, I will inform the client if I need to share confidential information without their consent.
There may be circumstances in which I cannot inform the client in advance, including where doing so could increase risk, prejudice an investigation or conflict with a legal requirement.
Any decision to limit confidentiality will be approached carefully, proportionately and with consideration of the client’s rights, welfare and dignity.
Proportionality and Professional Judgement
Any information shared without consent will be limited to what is reasonably necessary for the purpose of the disclosure.
Decisions concerning confidentiality and information sharing will be informed by:
The level and immediacy of risk
Relevant legislation and statutory guidance
Professional ethical standards
Safeguarding procedures
Clinical supervision and professional consultation
The client’s circumstances and best interests, where appropriate
Confidentiality remains central to the work of Happy Hatching Mind, but it cannot be guaranteed where overriding legal, safeguarding or serious risk considerations apply.
Review
This statement will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains consistent with relevant legislation, professional ethical standards, safeguarding guidance and best practice.
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