Confidentiality Policy

Cuan Bhríde Childcare Centre

Confidentiality Policy

Policy

It is the policy of Cuan Bhride Childcare Centre to keep all information about the families, children and staff in this service confidential. This policy exists to protect children, parents, carers, families and staff, and to ensure that everyone using the centre is absolutely clear about issues of confidentiality.

Procedure

  1. Principles of confidentiality are discussed with all staff, and volunteers/students at the induction stage.

  2. Management, staff, volunteers/students in this service will be advised of our confidentiality policy and required to sign up to it.

  3. Parents must be made aware of the necessity of keeping records in relation to the children in order to comply with the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

  4. The Data Retention Policy will state what information will be held, for how long, and who may review the information.

  5. Information, verbal or written provided by parents or carers, is treated descreetly and will be shared with only the staff who need to know the information.

  6. Information in relation to child protection issues/concerns will be dealt with in conjunction with the Child Protection Policy. In this situation, information will be shared on a need to know basis in the best interest of the child.

  7. Parents or carers will have access to the files and records of only their own child/ren on request.

  8. Children’s records are kept in individual files and stored securely in a locked cabinet.

  9. Children’s personal details cannot be passed on to another person or people without the parents /carer’s prior knowledge and consent.

  10. It is not acceptable to discuss matters relating to the children or the staff or the service outside the setting.

  11. The Cuan Bhríde Childcare Centre operates a CCTV system in the main childcare areas of the facility, including a camera at the entrance and hallway and two cameras in the outside area. Access to the monitor / video is limited. Please see CCTV Policy.

  12. Cameras / Camera Phones will only be used at the approval of the committee and families have the option to sign consent forms.

  13. Parents provided, at their discretion, permission for the use of photographs of their children in the child registration paperwork. This consent can be withdrawn at any time.

  14. Breaches of the Confidentiality Policy are dealt with under the Complaints Procedure or under the terms of employment, as appropriate.

  15. Regards to any accident/incidents occurring, a report will be written by the staff involved. No other children’s names will be provided in the report.

  16. If two children are involved, two separate reports are written keeping the other child’s name confidential.

  17. Parent’s will not be told another child’s name in regards to incident/accident.

Updated 12 September 2018