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Confidentiality and disclosure of information policy

As a Befriender you will be in a very privileged relationship with individuals and you will become a trusted listener, a friend and a support through your regular visit/ contact. It is likely that the person you are helping will tell you private and personal information. It is important that you respect this information and its private nature and keep it confidential. Community Connections has a confidentiality policy which can guide you.

What is confidentiality?

Confidentiality means not sharing or passing on information about an individual to other parties. The only time you could do this is if the person gives you the authority to do so (i.e. with other professional agencies) or if the welfare of that person is at stake (i.e. abuse).

However, confidentiality is not the same as keeping secrets. At your regular support meetings with your coordinator, you will discuss your visits. If you are worried about anything or a particular situation or information that you have been told you must discuss this with your coordinator.

Befriending only works successfully if the person you are supporting trusts you and the success of every befriending relationship depends on maintaining confidentiality.

· Complete confidentiality will be maintained throughout the project. All beneficiaries will be made aware that any information they give to a volunteer or the Project Officer(s) may be shared within the project on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis.

· Volunteers will not pass any information about a beneficiary to any individual or agency outside of the project, without the beneficiaries’ informed consent and the Project Officers’ agreement.

· Reasonable care must be taken to ensure that conversations relating to beneficiaries cannot be overheard by visitors, other beneficiaries and anyone outside of the project.

· Personal information relating to individuals within the project, including staff, beneficiaries and volunteers, will be stored securely.

· Individuals will be made aware of what personal information is being held on them and will know how to access their own records.

· Personal information relating to beneficiaries and volunteers may only be processed with the express consent of the individual concerned.

· Volunteer supervision records will be kept and are confidential to the individual concerned, their coordinator and the Project Manager.

· Volunteers’ home addresses, contact details etc. will not be disclosed to beneficiaries under any circumstances

· Any written records about beneficiaries or volunteers are the property of the project and should not be made available to any other agency without the Project Manager’s prior consent.

· Confidentiality may only be breached in the following circumstances where there is a risk of serious harm to any individual

· Where a beneficiary is judged to be at risk of sexual, emotional or physical abuse

· When not acting on information would increase the risk of danger to an individual

The beneficiary will be informed of the need to breach confidentiality prior to it happening. In an emergency, where this is not possible, s/he will be informed of the breach at the earliest opportunity. Confidentiality must only be breached following discussion with the project manager.

Unauthorized breaches of confidentiality are unacceptable and will be subject to disciplinary action.

About Us

Warrington Voluntary Action supports the development of a vibrant, thriving and sustainable VCSE sector to meet the diverse needs of local communities.