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Original poster

Breach of confidentiality

36 replies

Cheecheemonkey · 20/05/2013 17:34

Can't believe I've received an email from a teacher accidentally attaching a risk assessment form for a recent overseas trip naming pupils and detailing their behavioural issues etc. My own son was named with another three as having possible emotional difficulties (he has Aspergers but no issues of behaviour only disbelief at others' behaviour!). Have obviously reported it to the highest level, but cannot believe this has happened.

Just need to offload really. Waiting for them to get back to me. Unbelievable.

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 20/05/2013 20:43

you do seem to have read alot of it before deciding it was a breach of confidentiality ...

adeucalione · 20/05/2013 20:36

I once received school reports for five other children (in the envelope with my own child's report).

I decided to handle it tactfully - gave them back to the teacher and assured her that I wouldn't tell anyone else. She was mortified, but I still can't see how shaming her or reporting her would've achieved anything. In a moment of distraction she had done a daft thing, and no procedure can ever be error free.

Blissx · 20/05/2013 20:07

What measures do you think will prevent human error, OP?

The only way othe parents/guardians know that you have seen this risk assessment is if you tell them. I am sure that you would not divulge this information on purpose, would you? Therefore, they will never know and minimal damage caused.

Original poster
Cheecheemonkey · 20/05/2013 18:56

Misformum - the damage caused is that one believes that personal info is personal - simple. I'm sure if the other kids' parents involved knew that I'd been made privy to their kids' difficulties/emotional vulnerabilities they'd say that some damage had been done. Damage to parents' trust for one thing.

No I don't want anyone to lose their job or cause them to be off with stress (although that wouldn't be unusual), I have simply asked to be reassured that all measures possible are in place to prevent this from happening again. Also, who knows how many times this actually occurs.

I posted on here just to vent. Sorry - I seem to have hit a nerve!

OP posts:
ubik · 20/05/2013 18:37

I agree with the responses - these things happen; tell the teacher, they will probably vomit with the stress of it all and never mistakenly send an email attachment again.

Or you can hop up and down and cause a huge fuss and cause a good teacher to be disciplined/sacked/go sick with stress.

MisForMumNotMaid · 20/05/2013 18:33

What do you propose? The teacher is disciplined/ sacked? Financial compensation?

Yes its a breach of confidentiality. It shouldn't of happened but teachers are humans not machines. What actual harm has resulted from this?

LynetteScavo · 20/05/2013 18:26

It's human error.

The teacher didn't do it on purpose. Of course it shouldn't have happened. They will be mortified.

I'm not sure why you've posted, as you don't seem to need any advice. Confused Hope letting of steam by writing it down has helped.

Original poster
Cheecheemonkey · 20/05/2013 18:02

Sorry, also meant to say that it wasn't sent to me in error, as I was expecting an email regarding my other child, but merely that it was mistakenly attached to said email.

OP posts:
Original poster
Cheecheemonkey · 20/05/2013 18:00

Sorry, have to disagree. This should absolutely not occur, this is why each school has a confidentiality policy. IMO this should not occur. Obviously the names and details contained therein will go no further, but it does beg the question of what other delicate information is sent out wrongly? Perhaps it's a case of "until your own child is involved". Staff are privy to incredibly private and delicate information and as such it should be treated with the utmost care.

Didn't comment on here to cause a few hours of glee (it certainly has caused me no glee), but merely to let of steam as this is the second time it's happened!

OP posts:
sitzonhandz · 20/05/2013 17:41

V easy to do, but obviously unnerving for you. Teacher obviously used contacts list and picked up the wrong address.

This happened to me - I received an email meant for another parent detailing the additional support agreed upon for the child.

I relied to the teacher, explaining her mistake, and suggesting she double check addressees in future. And despite the child (and parent) in question being friends of mine (I actually work with the mother) they will never know I received confidential info.

Sure, you could make a big song and dance and upset everyone, or you could reply and suggest she resend to the appropriate addressee. The teacher will be so mortified it will never happen again.

And then delete.

Or it'll be worth a good few hours of glee on mn, anyway.

Original poster
Cheecheemonkey · 20/05/2013 17:36

Forgot to say, another two were named as being liable to lash out in temper, and another five or six with possible bad behaviour. All full names were given!

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