Unit 2 Support in the learning environment
What does confidentiality mean to you?
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Young people and adults may feel embarrassed by their level of literacy,
language or numeracy skills.
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You must not share any information about them with other supporters,
community or family members, unless this has been agreed beforehand.
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However, to arrange support with literacy, language and numeracy skills,
you may have to disclose some information to other parties. Make sure
you have agreed this with the learner.
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There are some exceptional circumstances when confidentiality may be
breached, e.g. where the welfare of a child is threatened due to physical
or emotional abuse, or when you believe that someone will cause serious
damage to themselves or others.
In situations where confidentiality may need to be breached, what referral
agencies in your area would be able to give support?
What does confidentiality mean to you?
Identify situations where confidentiality must be observed
Level 2 Award in Supporting adults and young people in essential skills
Unit 2 Support in the learning environment
Case Study 1
David has been coming to the centre for the past few weeks. He’s
told you he finished school last year and hated it there. (He is actually
15 and still at school, but he looks like a 17 –year-old). He’s helpful
around the centre and as he’s quite good at using the computer, he has
asked if anything wants typing up. One day you walk in to find him
typing up some personal details from the information supplied to you
by an adult who wanted to start a numeracy skills course.
How would you deal with the situation?
What strategies should have been applied to ensure confidentiality?
What other general points should be established at the centre to ensure
confidentiality?
Level 2 Award in Supporting adults and young people in essential skills
Unit 2 Support in the learning environment
Case Study 2
A new family has just moved into your area. The mother, Jo, has
started to attend the playgroup session and in conversation has said
that she would like to support her older child with his schoolwork, but
that she doesn’t feel her skills are up to much. She said that when she
was at school, she had been on by other children who said that she was
‘thick’. Another parent, who attends a literacy class, has said to his
supporter that he is going to let the child’s teacher know by ‘having a
word in her ear’.
What could be the possible repercussions if a basic skills supporter were to do
this?
If you knew that another supporter in your basic skills group was about to do
this, what would you do?
Level 2 Award in Supporting adults and young people in essential skills
Unit 2 Support in the learning environment
Points to consider
Case study 1
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Decide who the right person is to discuss this with David. (centre head,
tutor…)
Explain confidentiality to him, stressing that you would not let others
read personal information about him.
What appropriate tasks could you give him to help in the centre.
Is the office open to all?
Is confidential material locked away securely?
David and others need to be clear about their roles.
Case study 2
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Possible repercussions could be that if Jo feels that she is being
discussed, it could make her upset or angry. Socially, this could be very
damaging to Jo, as she is new to the area and presumably wants to make
new friends. She may already feel stigmatised by her lack of skills. It
could make contact with her child’s teacher embarrassing and compound
the situation. If it happened in the basic skills group setting it could lead
to others feeling less confident about giving personal information.
Decide who would be the right person to discuss this with.
Explain confidentiality to the parent who wishes to pass on this
information.
Level 2 Award in Supporting adults and young people in essential skills