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Whole School Confidentiality Policy


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Whole School Confidentiality Policy (DRAFT)

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The King Edward VI School - Whole School Confidentiality Policy

C E Middleton (Health & Well-Being Co-Ordinator)
S Taylor (Head Teacher)


Date of Writing: 17th & 24 April 2008

Date Formally Approved by Governors:

Date Policy became effective:

Review Date:

Signed:

Name of Head Teacher: Simon Taylor


This policy document was produced in consultation with all stakeholders who interact with The King Edward VI School. It is a shared document that expresses a common vision of the ethos, status and role of all aspects of confidentiality within this learning environment. The policy sets out to communicate effectively with all of the stakeholders, how this learning provider meets the legal responsibilities it has towards promoting and protecting individuals rights.

The policy document compliments KEVI’s Whole School Policies on
  • PHSE
  • Sex & Relationships Policy
  • Marking Policy
  • Child Protection Policy
  • Complaints Policy
  • Discipline Policy
  • Race Equality Policy
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • SEN Policy (including Gifted & Talented)
and should therefore be read in conjunction with these. This policy will be available in school and will be made public through the school web site to facilitate access for all stakeholders.

Initial consultation took place on 24 April 2008 at a meeting by staff on the Healthy Schools Action Team. This was followed up on / by (student council / student voice / form rep meetings / staff meetings / parents / health professionals )

The person(s) responsible for implementing and monitoring the policy is / are:


Value Statement

At The King Edward VI School we believe that values are important. We take “pride in our own achievement and in the achievement of other people, in the school itself and in the environment that we create through the promotion of equality of opportunity and esteem” (Parents Handbook 2007-8).


Rationale

The King Edward VI Whole School Confidentiality Policy places the students at the centre of the learning process by providing a safe and secure learning environment. It addresses the issues and implements the underlying principles of the Every Child Matters Agenda which may arise about confidentiality. It also acknowledges the rights given to individuals through the Human Rights Act 1998, Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information Act 2000.

This policy has developed with reference to The Department for Children, Schools and Families guidance on Sex and Relationship Education, which states that schools should have a clear and explicit confidentiality policy. It also gives due regard to statutory guidance that states providers should “ensure that all staff are aware of the need to maintain privacy and confidentiality. (http://www.teachernet.gov.uk)

The policy has been drawn up in consultation with parents and reflects the views of teachers, parents, students, governors and health professionals such as school nurses as indicated on page 2.


Aims

  • To create a safe school community with a positive atmosphere in which students and all staff learn to value themselves and each other.
  • To make a positive contribution to health and Healthy Schools Status.
  • To contribute to the self-evaluation for review by Ofsted.



Objectives

  • To provide consistent messages in school about the effective communication of information between school staff once it has been received, to maintain pupils well being and safety.
  • To foster an ethos of trust within the school, by treating every student with respect, dignity, privacy and in a non-judgemental way.
  • To raise staff, student and parents awareness of the school’s confidentiality policy and procedures.
  • To ensure that staff, students and parents are aware of the limits of confidentiality and that it is not unconditional. This includes any information relating to a Child Protection Matter.
  • To reassure students that their best interests will be maintained.
  • To encourage students to talk to their parents or carers.
  • To ensure that there is equality of provision and access for all.
  • To ensure that confidentiality is a whole school issue and that in lessons ground rules are set for the protection of all.
  • To understand that health professionals are bound by a different code of conduct.
  • To ensure that parents have a right of access to any records the school may hold on their child but not to any other child that they do not have parental responsibility for.



Where, When and to Whom the Policy Applies – Different Levels of Confidentiality

  1. In the classroom in the course of a lesson
  2. One to one disclosures to members of school staff including volunteers
  3. Disclosures to a counsellor, school nurse or health professional operating a confidential service in school
  4. Contraceptive advice and pregnancy
  5. The legal position for school staff
  6. Visitors and non-teaching staff
  7. Parents / carers
  8. Complex cases
  9. Statement of ground rules to be used in lessons
  10. When confidentiality should be broken
  11. The principles we follow at KEVI School are that in all cases we:
  12. Support for staff
  13. Onward Referral


Implementation

The above objectives would be met by:
  • Named member of CLG would oversee the review and implementation of this policy.
  • Promote the Whole School Confidentiality Policy with students and parents by running a Healthy Schools Stands at Parent’s Evenings and using the Newsletter to share it’s boundaries and procedures.
  • Place the policy on the school website to facilitate easy access of it to all stakeholders.
  • Setting up a student group who would review the Whole School Confidentiality Policy and develop a simplified version for students, parents / carers, which would be placed in the Parents Handbook and Prospectus.
  • Possibility of holding an additional parents meeting to inform parents about the Whole School Confidentiality Policy and the impact it will have on the overall safety and protection of all students within KEVI care.
  • All school staff, including teaching, catering, administrative staff , health professionals e.g. school nurse and volunteers will be informed of this policy and will support its implementation through a whole school staff training day.


Measuring & Evaluation of Outcomes

The above objectives would be monitored and evaluated by:
  •  
  •  
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Expected outcomes
  • Improved attendance
  • Improved academic achievement
  • Reduction in recorded incidents of bullying
  • Reduction in number of students referred to “Turning Point”
  • Increased self-esteem and motivation of students
  • Increased use of confidential school services through Student Support due to clarity of student rights, procedures and promotion of these services e.g. up to date information & literature.



Review

The policy is reviewed every 2 years or whenever deemed necessary by the Head Teacher and Governors in light of events and changes in the law. It will also be reviewed to reflect Northumberland County Council’s guidance to schools and policy content on Confidentiality.


References


 
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