Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The confidentiality of client’s information is a central and integral part Dunmanway Family Resource Centre’s therapeutic supports delivery. Dunmanway Family Resource Centre is committed to ensuring that all clients information is managed in line with accepted good practice and current legislation. This policy covers all Dunmanway Family Resource Centre employed therapists, sessional therapists, student placement/ therapists and all relevant staff within an FRC. Confidentiality can never be absolute and therefore absolute confidentiality can never be guaranteed.

All clients are to be made aware of Dunmanway Family Resource Centre confidentiality policy as soon as is practicable after they first access Dunmanway Family Resource Centre therapeutic supports. Confidentiality is between the client and Dunmanway Family Resource Centre It is not between the client and any particular member of staff. Case specific information will be shared with FRC staff as relevant and necessary.

All clients have the right to have a copy of any information held regarding them by Dunmanway Family Resource Centre, with the provision that, where certain information in the file identifies other people to whom the organisation owes a duty of confidentiality, such information will be redacted. Copy information must be requested in writing by the client. Staff members should assist with this as appropriate. The coordinator Tracy Sheehan will deal with all such requests; the organisation endeavours that all requests will receive a response within ten working days, see data protection policy for more information. No information about a client will be passed on to any third party except in the following cases:

• Where consent has been obtained under this policy

• Where there is a legal obligation to provide information to a third party

• Where a decision is taken by management to share information with a third party as outlined in section 10. [1]

Consent to share information with a third party should always be given initially in writing, and thereafter may be given verbally. Clients have the right to withdraw consent for the sharing of information at any time, except where the FRC decides, or is obliged, to share information, as outlined in section 10. [1]