Policies :: Confidentiality Statement

UNISEX is committed to providing a confidential advice service to its users. We believe that the principles of confidentiality must be integrated across all aspects of services and management. We believe our users deserve the right to confidentiality to protect their interests and safeguard our own services. The following will be displayed in offices, drop-in and waiting rooms:

UNISEX offers a confidential service - nothing you tell us will be shared with any other organisation or individual outside of UNISEX and the Student Advice Centre without your express permission.

Definition of Confidentiality

UNISEX understands confidentiality to mean that no information regarding a service user shall be given directly or indirectly to any third party which is external to UNISEX and the Student Advice Centre Staff and Manager, without that service user's expressed consent to disclose such information. We recognise that all users should be able to access our service in confidence and that no other person should know they have used our service. We also recognize that information may be indirectly given out through staff discussing cases. All staff should ensure that no discussions relating to an individual user of the service take place outside of USSU premises. Only members of UNISEX and the Student Advice Centre may receive details of individual users or their case.

Statistical Recording

UNISEX is committed to effective statistical recording of service users to enable us to monitor take-up of the service and to identify any policy issues arising from services. It is the Unisex Manager's responsibility to ensure that all statistical records given to third parties (such as other members of the University, Primary Care Trust and other outside related organisations) shall be produced in anonymous form, so individuals cannot be recognised.

Breaches of Confidentiality

UNISEX recognises that occasions may arise where individual workers feel they need to breach confidentiality. An example of such an occasion would be if we felt a client were at serious risk of harming themselves or others. We also recognise, however, that any breach of confidentiality may damage the reputation of our service and therefore has to be treated with the most serious of approaches.

On occasions where a worker feels confidentiality should be breached the following steps must be taken:

• The worker should raise the matter immediately with the UNISEX Manager;
• The worker must discuss with the UNISEX Manager the issues involved in the case and explain why they feel confidentiality should be breached and what would be achieved by breaching confidentiality. The UNISEX Manager should take a written note of this discussion.
• The UNISEX Manager is responsible for discussing with the worker what options are available in each set of circumstances.
• The UNISEX Manager is responsible for making a decision on whether confidentiality should be breached. If the UNISEX Manager decides that confidentiality is to be breached then they should take the following steps:
• The UNISEX Manager should contact the General Manager of USSU in the first instance. The UNISEX Manager should brief the General Manager on the full facts of the case, ensuring that they do not breach confidentiality in doing so. The UNISEX Manager should seek authorisation from the General Manager to breach confidentiality.
• If the General Manager agrees to breach confidentiality, a full written report on the case should be made and any action agreed undertaken. The UNISEX Manager is responsible for ensuring all activities are actioned.
• If the General Manager does not agree to breach confidentiality then this is the final decision of the organisation.
• If any decision to breach confidentiality results in a complaint against a member of staff of UNISEX, then following the procedure outlined in UNISEX 'Complaints Procedure', the role of UNISEX Manager is to be substituted by an independent advocate chosen by the user. UNISEX can suggest potential advocates if the complainant has no-one they can turn to. This is to ensure that any future complaints or investigations arising from a breach in confidentiality can be carried out in an independent manner.

Legislative Framework

UNISEX will monitor this policy to ensure it meets statutory and legal requirements including the Data Protection Act, Children's Act, Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Ensuring the Effectiveness of the Policy

All members of staff and volunteers of the UNISEX will receive a copy of the Confidentiality Policy. Existing and new workers will be introduced to the complaints procedure via induction and training. The procedure will be continuously reviewed and any amendments made on an annual basis.