Page 76 - Part B

Information, Advice or Guidance

Client confidentiality and when it can be broken

As you may remember, client confidentiality was discussed in detail in Unit 2, where it
was defined as:

• The principle that an institution or individual should not reveal information
about their clients to a third party without the consent of the client or a
clear legal reason.

With the above in mind, there are a few particular scenarios where you are able to
break client confidentiality:

1. Where there is a risk of serious harm to your client or to others

2. Where there is a risk of a serious crime being committed

3. If a police warrant or court order is produced

4. When you judge that the disclosure is in the best interests of a child or young
person, who does not have the maturity or understanding to make a
decision about disclosure.

C Case Study: Housing advisor

You are working as a housing advisor in a local council when a
client comes in and explains they have suffered death threats in
their current shared housing. They ask you not to mention this to
anyone.

Would you break client confidentiality? Explain the steps you
would take to decide.

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