Page 70 - Part-A

Information, Advice or Guidance

Confidentiality is a set of rules or a promise that limits access to, or places restrictions
on, certain types of information. For example, a client may explain to their debt advisor
that they have a gambling addiction and that has contributed to their debt issues; this
would be considered confidential.

Each place of work will have their own confidentiality polices; certain professionals
such as doctors and teachers will have their own framework set in their workplace. It is
important that you find your work’s confidentiality policy and read it carefully.

Confidentiality is based around the following principles:

1. Respect for an individual’s right to privacy.

2. That consent should be gained from the client before passing on their
details to other members of your team or other agencies. This should
include the specifics of the information that the client has agreed should
be passed on.

3. Information should be stored securely.

4. Information will not be used for any other purpose than that for which it
was given.

5. That the reasons that the information is needed are clear and that the
purpose for which the information will be used is also clear. It is now illegal
under the GDPR for organisations to confuse clients in the small print
about what they will do with the client’s information.

6. The client must also be able to see clearly how they can withdraw their
permission for information about them to be removed.

There are a number of types of information that might be considered confidential in
your dealings with clients, such as:

• Client’s name, date of birth, age, sex and address

• Current contact details of their family

• Medical history or records

• Personal issues explained to you by the client.

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