why is confidentiality important when working in social care?

Answer 1

It is important in any field dealing with physical, mental health, or in social situations. Unfortunately people judge others in our society, and also make decisions based on our character due to things we have done in the past. Assume (for the sake of conversation) that you are working with a person in their mid-twenties, doing well in their job, attends church regularly, and has a slight case of depression...oh yes, and they shoplifted when they were 16. Most of society will not really start thinking negatively until the read the part about depression, then their level of trust in that person plummets due to something they did when they were younger (even if it was just a one-time thing). People have sicknesses and chemical imbalances all of the time, it may or may not affect their social lives, but when society is aware that someone has a certain problem they are dealing with, most automatically link their thoughts to something negative that happened with SOMEONE ELSE who had that same imbalance/was in a similar situation. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and I could go into many different reasons for the HIPAA act and confidentiality guidelines. Not to mention everyone deserves their privacy, and when seeking help, their privacy is preserved as well as possible. I hope this helps! :)

Answer 2

Trust is very important and in any matter when some one confides with another person weather that person is a professional etc.,

When a vulnerable person discloses matters of a personal nature this is like sharing a great burden.

It would break the trust if that individual was to spill the beans with others to gossip or judge that person for their own amusement.

If a care worker etc., gossips about a poor individuals problems around the block this is tittle tattle and could be considered abuse.

Answer 3

Confidentiality is very important when working in either social care or any other business for that matter, as it wouldn`t be nice to from a third party that they know their business and it would knock their confident and cause untold damage too.

Answer 4

Would you like your name spread all round your neighbourhood if you had gone to seek help for a nervous breakdown, or any other mental illness for that matter.
Do you think it is right to print all the names of children, who have been forced into care by beasts...?...I don't think so!.
These are just two confidential issues, there are hundreds more that need someones trust.!!!

Answer 5

Because blabbing their private business could get you personally sued (not your employer).

Because your gossip could stop someone getting a job.

Because spilling their secrets may mean they're attacked or shunned.

Let's say you tell your neighbour that little Billy & Billy's mum are being helped by social services as Billy's dad beats them both. Your neighbour passes this gossip around and Billy's dad hears it. Billy's dad didn't know Billy & Billy's mum were being helped by the Council and can't cope with the shame. Billy's dad kills Billy's mum and himself. Little Billy ends up in care & therapy for the next 10 years. Exactly who did you help by blabbing?

Sounds like a made up story? I could tell you hundreds. These things happen all too often.

I'm really hoping you're asking this because it's on an application form, not because you're a bored social worker.

Answer 6

When people tell you things about themselves in trust, it is important to realise that the information given to you is theirs to share and not yours. The only exception to this, is if you suspect child abuse or if someone is planning on harming themselves or another person. If you get permission to share information it should still only be on a need to know basis .

Answer 7

confidentiality is so important whatever job you do if you seriously think about....would you want everyone knowing your business...NO I think not either

Answer 8

Would you wish anyone to know of your history, or background?Trust and confidentiallity should be paramount, as people are trusting you with very sensitive information on THEIR lives

Answer 9

if you needed to go to a social service, and had to give out your personal details, would you like the person your giving your details to, to give your details to everyone he knows

Answer 10

if you have to ask this then should you be considering a job in social services