Confidentiality and safeguarding

Definition and Importance

Confidentiality involves keeping personal information private and shared only with those who are authorised to have that information.
In the context of health and social care, confidentiality is essential to form trust between individuals and carers.
Trust is crucial for effective care as individuals need to feel comfortable to share personal details about their health, emotions, and lifestyle.

All personal information must be kept securely and only be accessible to authorised personnel.
Information should only be shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis and only if it is in the individual’s best interest.
Anyone with access to confidential information must respect its sensitivity and refrain from disclosing it without necessary consent.

A breach in confidentiality occurs when information is shared with unauthorised personnel or without necessary consent.
Breaches can lead to severe consequences, including disciplinary action, loss of trust, and potentially lawsuits.
If there is suspicion of a confidentiality breach, it should be reported immediately to a superior or appropriate authority.

Safeguarding means protecting individuals’ health, wellbeing, and human rights so they can live free from harm, abuse, and neglect.
It applies to those who may be vulnerable due to age, illness, disability, or context, such as children or older people in care, or individuals with learning disabilities.

Every individual has the right to live free from abuse, neglect, and harm.
Everyone working in health and social care has a responsibility to recognise abuse and take appropriate action.
Interagency cooperation is essential for effective safeguarding, especially between health, social care, police, and other involved bodies.

Any suspicion or concern about abuse, neglect, or harm should be reported following the established protocol.
It’s vital not only to respond to any instances of harm or neglect but also to proactively monitor environments and relationships.
Understanding the signs of different types of abuse, from physical to emotional, sexual, or financial, is crucial in early detection and prevention.
It’s equally important to support the person affected by the abuse and to ensure that the matter is appropriately investigated and that the risk is mitigated.