The Center for Children and Families
Confidentiality Statement
Foundational to the maintenance of professional ethics and community respect is the principle
of confidentiality. Each staff member of the Center for Children and Families has a fourfold set
of ethical responsibilities by which they are bound to the client, the project, the community,
and other employees. Center clients act in good faith, expecting their circumstances and
personal matters to remain confidential, and we are obligated by law and ethics to reciprocate.
The APA standards of ethical conduct are applicable.
The following is presented to provide some guidelines concerning the matter of confidentiality.
1. Information and details about client’s cases may be discussed for clinical purposes only.
That is, cases may be discussed in clinical and supervisory meetings in order that cases
may be more appropriately managed.
2. No identifying information about the clients (names, address) should be revealed.
3. The case records that are kept on clients should be used only for clinical purposes and
not for general perusal. Other agencies requesting the records of a given client should
first obtain a release of information from the client. In no case should the records be
automatically sent to another person or agency without first receiving a release of
information from the client or legal guardian.
4. Discussing the details of a case, although names or addresses are not revealed, could
also be a breach of confidentiality. That is, one might possibly describe, in detail, facts
about the case, and never mention who the person is, or allude in any way, to names or
any type of data, and yet within the case reveal enough that the listener might possibly
identify the client.
5. The fact that a case has been made public through any of the news media does not alter
the fact that this person still has confidentiality privileges with the Center for Children
and Families. For example, if a client’s child has been arrested, confidentiality must be
maintained.
The following statements will be signed by staff, interns, volunteers, or anyone else having
access to client or personnel records, and kept on record at the Center for Children and Families
office.
I understand and agree to the above policy and am aware that any breach of confidentiality is
grounds for immediate dismissal.
_________________________________
Signature
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Date