Confidentiality

All our services are governed by very strict codes of conduct with regards to confidentiality. RCA Trust complies with the Data Protection Act 1998 and recognises that service users have a right to confidentiality. As part of their initial assessment every client is advised about our confidentiality policy. Every client will be asked for permission to contact their GP to advise that we are working with them and to we ask if there are any relevant medical issues that we should be aware of. Depending on the service being attended we shall request permission to contact other agencies. In some circumstances, entry to the service will only be accepted if the client agrees to this.

Any information given to RCA Trust will be treated with strict confidentially and only for the agreed purpose of the service. It is a condition of service within the agency that all staff members are aware of and respect our confidentiality policy.

 

Information sharing

In general information will only be shared with other agencies where the service user has given consent. As a matter of course we shall advise clients of circumstances where sharing of information is suggested or requested. The only exceptions to the above are:

1. When we believe that failure to share information might place the service user, children or other people at risk of harm. For example, if a client were to attend whilst intoxicated and indicated an intention to drive a car, this would constitute potential to harm self or others

2. When there are legal requests to share information

Research purposes

Our funders generally request that we provide evidence that we are providing services as commissioned. In these instances we will provide fully anonymised data that cannot be used to identify anyone. In other instances we may agree to become involved in research projects led by academic institutions. In these instances we might ask clients if they would be willing to participate on the proviso that all information given is fully anonymous.

Client rights

All clients have the right to know what information is held on them. Accordingly all of our clients have the right to see their case files.