1.3, Explain How Different Social, Professional and Cultural Contexts May Affect Relationships and the Way People Communicate
Understand legislation, policies and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, including data protection
3.1, Summarise the main points of legislation and procedures covering confidentiality, data protection and the disclosure of information
As a teaching assistant in a large primary school I hear of situations or learn information regarding children I come into contact with. Morally, I deal with this information sensitively whilst around other adults and the child concerned but I am also very aware that I have a duty of confidentiality that is stated under the ‘Data Protection Act 1998’. This act ensures that confidential information of a child and/or their parents/carers are properly recorded and stored in a filing system, be it manual or computerised, and in a place that no unauthorized persons may gain access to it. In cases where I learn of abuse, neglect or problems at home from a child I know that my school has guidelines in place so that I know when this information has to be logged in writing, which type of ‘concern form’ to put it in, who it goes to next and where it will be stored from there onwards. These are the guidelines everyone in my setting is aware of. My responsibilities are to make sure I do not pass on any information, unless to my superiors. If I am unsure that it warrants being logged, I would usually check with either my teacher, learning mentors, head of year or members of the schools senior leadership team.
Schools ask for certain relevant information from parents or previous schools so that professional care can be given to their child. This information is usually; Names, contact details of family members/carers
Medical/health information
Allergies/dietary needs
Academic abilities
3.1, Summarise the main points of legislation and procedures covering confidentiality, data protection and the disclosure of information
As a teaching assistant in a large primary school I hear of situations or learn information regarding children I come into contact with. Morally, I deal with this information sensitively whilst around other adults and the child concerned but I am also very aware that I have a duty of confidentiality that is stated under the ‘Data Protection Act 1998’. This act ensures that confidential information of a child and/or their parents/carers are properly recorded and stored in a filing system, be it manual or computerised, and in a place that no unauthorized persons may gain access to it. In cases where I learn of abuse, neglect or problems at home from a child I know that my school has guidelines in place so that I know when this information has to be logged in writing, which type of ‘concern form’ to put it in, who it goes to next and where it will be stored from there onwards. These are the guidelines everyone in my setting is aware of. My responsibilities are to make sure I do not pass on any information, unless to my superiors. If I am unsure that it warrants being logged, I would usually check with either my teacher, learning mentors, head of year or members of the schools senior leadership team.
Schools ask for certain relevant information from parents or previous schools so that professional care can be given to their child. This information is usually; Names, contact details of family members/carers
Medical/health information
Allergies/dietary needs
Academic abilities