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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do I make an official complaint about this Sure Start work?

30 replies

Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:25

I have been agonising over this all weekend and I genuinely don't know what to do.

On Thursday I took dd to the Sure Start centre for her 2 year check. After her check I decided to take her in to the play room at the centre for a while. We were the only ones in there.

After about 15 minutes 2 woman and a man came in with a couple of dc. They sat about 10 feet away from me. They were then joined by a Sure Start worker who came in carrying some paperwork.

Now, I need to tell you I have lived on this estate all my life, everybody knows everybody, and as I worked at the local primary school for several years I'm really do know who is who's sister, brother grandad ect.

It quickly became apparent that these people were make a complaint to the Sure Start worker about a woman and her neglect of her young dd. The SS worker didn't mention names but there was enough detail discussed for me to know who they were talking about. at this point I was feeling really uncomfortable.

They went on for another 10 minutes about this womans drinking and neglect of her child. The SS worker was telling them she would be able to pass on all the information to social services who were seemingly already aware of the situation.

At this point I couldn't stand it any longer so I stood up and approached the SS worker and said I didn't think it was appropriate for her to be having this conversation in such a public area and it front of me. IMO it's a huge breach of confidentiality. The Ss worker immediately went on the defensive saying she had done nothing wrong as she hadn't mention names. I tried to explain to her how anyone from our local area would easily be able to identify the woman being discussed. And tbh if I'd done what she'd just done in my Job I'd have ended up sacked. She really didn't accept what I was saying and then asked if I wanted her to get her manager. I said no and explained that I wasnt trying to get her in trouble I just wanted her to consider that she is privy to some sensitive information and she needs to be careful who she discuss's things in front of.

For all she knew I could be the local gossip and the allegation against this woman could have been half way round the village by now.

The whole thing astounded me tbh. I'm wondering now wether I should speak to this womans manager because she didn't really seem to appreciate what she had done wrong.

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 13/11/2011 21:28

For all she knew I could be the local gossip and the allegation against this woman could have been half way round the village by now

Or all over MN! Wink

UnexpectedOrange · 13/11/2011 21:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 13/11/2011 21:29

See where you're coming from......but didn't stop you from sitting and earwigging instead of making yourself scarce did it ??!

slavetofilofax · 13/11/2011 21:30

YANBU.

Confidentiality is a huge issue, and I believe it is something that people need proper training on. Just telling people that they have to respect confidentiality and not mention names is not enough, but it is all most workers who hold sensitive information are told.

I would bring the matter to the attention of the manager, definately.

RightUpMyRue · 13/11/2011 21:30

I think a letter to the manager of the children's centre wouldn't be a bad idea, sounds like this woman needs some further training.

Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:30

Why shpd I remove my child when she was having fun?

OP posts:
valiumredhead · 13/11/2011 21:31

She did ask if you wanted to speak to her manager - why didn't you say yes?

Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:31

Apocalypse I wasn't eaves dropping either. They were sat so close to me I couldn't avoid hearing. Plus it only a small room.

OP posts:
BettyBum · 13/11/2011 21:32

I think the fact that she didn't explain herself adequately or take on board that she had done wrong, means you should take it further. A breach of confidentiality isn't just about naming people, she should have conducted the conversation in a private room. Apart from anything else, there was no need for them to be in the play area, totally inappropriate.

Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:32

Valium, because she was a young girl and I didn't want to get her in trouble.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 13/11/2011 21:32

Apocalypse - they were in the playarea which I assume is a public area? So why should they go.

The worker should have had the sense to make sure it was done in an office or somewhere else nobody would be around, certainly not starting the meeting with other people in the room.

pixipie151 · 13/11/2011 21:33

You should definately report this to the manager. It is unacceptable and a gross breach of confidentiality, despite no actual names being used (identifiable details are more than sufficient). Besides this, it is totally unprofessional.

DoMeDon · 13/11/2011 21:33

If the people concerned were worried about others knowing they could've asked for a private room. The SS worker didn't use names and you may 'know' who it is but you don't KNOW iyswim. I don't think i would complain officially in these circs but I can see why you feel inclined to.

MotherMucca · 13/11/2011 21:34

Definitely NBU. Confidentiality is such a fundamental in social care work.

I've reported people for breaching confidentiality and would do so again if necessary.

Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:35

I've had a lot of support from Sure Start re my depression. I certainly wont go to them again knowing how publicly they discuss their service users.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 13/11/2011 21:36

Memoo - that is exactly why you have to complain. Nobody should feel they can't use a service like this for reasons that can be so simply avoided.

valiumredhead · 13/11/2011 21:36

Valium, because she was a young girl and I didn't want to get her in trouble

But you are going to report her anyway? Confused

Go and see her again and explain again how important this is and then take it further if she doesn't take it on board imo.

slavetofilofax · 13/11/2011 21:36

If you say something now, hopefully this young girl won't turn into someone middle aged who still has no clue about how to maintain confidentiality. Or you might prevent something worse happening. Confidentiality is not only important so people aren't gossiped about, there can be serious consequenses when sensitive information is mishandled.

briedog · 13/11/2011 21:37

She absolutely shouldn't be having that conversation within earshot of anyone else. Staff of the nursery I volunteered in last year wouldn't even had sensitive conversations within my earshot - anything like that would be behind a closed office door.

Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:38

It's not about the people do the reporting though.

It's about the woman they are reporting. Whatever she has allegedly done she still deserves to be treated with respect and she has a right to privacy surely?

OP posts:
Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:41

Fir all she knew I could have known the person they were talking about well enough to go and tell her who has been reporting her.

That could then have awful consequences for the people do tbe reporting who were obviously doing the right thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Memoo · 13/11/2011 21:42

I might go back into tbe centre this week and see if I see her and what she says.

OP posts:
budgieshell · 13/11/2011 21:44

Like yourself I am aware that a breach in confidentiality could cost me my job.
That alone is enough to avoid situations like this. If some one reported me for doing this I would hold up my hands and know the fault was mine. I don't know that I could do it to some one else knowing they could lose their job. I understand your dilema this woman really needs to understand how serious this is. This isn't much help just thought I'd let you know I understand your concerns and dilema.

lesstalkmoreaction · 13/11/2011 21:44

I work within childrens centres and i'm surprised you weren't asked to leave the playroom, usually the play areas should only be used with centre staff present for the groups or for creches. They are not usually used for general play.
I would bring this to the attention of the centre manager as it should be in their health and safety policy about the use of the play areas.
After the appointment you should have been asked to sign out of the building.
As for the private chat being held with you present that is so unprofessional I would expect her to be in trouble for that.

slavetofilofax · 13/11/2011 21:46

I wouldn't say anything else to the girl herself tbh. She knows your opinion already, and if she is any good at her job at all, she will already have reflected on her actions and resolved to be more careful in the future.

If she's crap at her job, nothing else you can say to her will make any difference.

Either way, her manager needs to be aware of the situation so that she can deal with it properly and ensure that it does not happen again.