Confidentiality policy

Confidentiality policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on what the confidentiality policy is and how it staff members need to adhere to it. This policy works alongside the information sharing policy.

 

Points to consider

 

If a child is considered at risk the child protection policy will take precedence over the confidentiality policy where conflict between the policies arises.

 

Castle Daycare & Preschool have a legal obligation to hold information about children using their nurseries and about staff employed at the nurseries.  It is necessary to record basic information for registers, invoices and emergency contacts. 

 

It is entirely possible that our staff, because of their relationship with both the children and their parents/guardians/carers, may learn more about individual families using the nursery. Consequently our staff team are advised that disclosure or discussion referring to any children or their families using the nursery will result in disciplinary action being taken. 

 

Issues relating to the employment of staff, whether paid or unpaid, will remain confidential to the people responsible for management of personnel.

Students, volunteers and staff on training or temporary work assignments, when observing or working in the nursery, as part of their induction process will be advised of our confidentiality policy and their duty to respect it.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

·         All child records will be held securely or where held on a computer, the equipment will be password protected to ensure access by authorised persons only

 

·         Staff members are not permitted to discuss individual children, other than for purposes of curriculum planning/group management, or other relevant management issues with people other than the parent/guardian/carer of that child.

 

·         If any information is requested about a child from any source, for whatever reason, the parent/guardian/carer’s permission will always be sought.

 

·         Parents will have access to the files and records of their own children but will not have access to information about any other child.

 

 

·         We will inform parents and carers when registering their child that they can share personal information in the confidence that it will only be used to enhance the welfare of their children

 

·         Children’s records maybe stored off site at our registered head office at:

 

Cranbrook

Antlands Lane East

Shipley Bridge

Burstow

Horley

RH6 9TE