SayPro Confidentiality

Confidentiality relating to the release of information about clients is a major requirement under the Privacy Act Amendment 2000 (and agency guidelines based on this Act). However, The Child Protection Act also has specific provisions regarding confidentiality of information about a child in care, or families who are clients of the departments of Child Safety, Communities, etc.

Your agency policies and procedures are very likely to provide you with:

• direction for consistent organisational requirements
• clear steps you must follow to ensure consistency of action
• direct links between current legislation and practice principles
• a ‘whole of system’ approach to acting in a reasonable and responsible manner across all service delivery by the agency
• a context for ongoing organisational improvement towards continued best practice.

Government policy, agency standards and procedures are all relevant to understanding your role and responsibilities. It is important to research the relevant legislation, policy and procedures and identify what information you must provide to clients and significant others.