Assessment activity 1
Janette is a 15 year old and seeks help from your organisation. During your initial consultation, you discover that she has been working in prostitution to maintain her cocaine and heroin use. The following day, Janette’s mother phones your organisation and asks for a copy of her daughters file notes.
1. Explain Janette’s right to confidentiality in this situation, citing the policies and procedures used in your organisation.
Every organisation will have a confidentiality clause in its policies and procedures. The confidentiality clause falls under the Privacy Act 1988. It is a legal obligation given to all clients of any organisation. The fact that Janette is under age is of no matter, Janette is still entitled to her privacy. Her mother cannot obtain any information in regards to the services she is being provided by your organisation, without Janette giving her consents for you to share her private information.
2. Why do you think the law takes this stance about confidentiality? Word your response as you would explain it to Janette and to her mother.
The law takes this stance I believe to protect every person’s right to privacy and to keep every Australian safe.
Explain verbally to Janette her confidentiality rights, and your organisations policies and procedures. You would most likely have Janette sign a client contract which would cover all the information for her in print also.
When her mother phones you would explain your policies and procedures to her. Explain that you have a legal obligation not give out any information on any person/s from your organisation. You must be careful when doing this as you must ensure you give no clue to her that her daughter is in fact a client.
3. Outline how you might check during your initial discussion that Janette understands her rights in relation to this particular confidentiality issue.
The client contract would give information on confidentiality; I would also offer any...