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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Are teachers meant to be using WhatsApp to discuss my DS

108 replies

PETRONELLAS · 15/07/2019 17:30

Job-share with various other adults involved. Teacher said ‘we let eachother know about DS’s medication issue on WhatsApp. It works really well as we all read it’. I really though GDPR would not allow this and think it’s quite unprofessional. AIBU?

OP posts:

EmmaGrundyForPM · 15/07/2019 19:19

I work in a confidential setting. We have a team WhatsApp where we send each other messages. We never use clients names, or identifying details, only initials. We've been advised that it's not a GDPR issue.

StopMakingATitOfUrselfNPissOff · 15/07/2019 19:32

Actually I would have a problem with this, but not from a GDPR POV.

With a work email, it's traceable, if an external person wanted to check them, they could. If they are using WhatsApp on their personal phones, who can check it?
My thought would be if there was a miscommunication regarding your son's medication and it had all been done via WhatsApp, they could quite easily 'close ranks' if a situation arose that required an investigation

shithappens123 · 15/07/2019 19:34

Teachers really can’t win can they

Aragog · 15/07/2019 19:36

Its probably more secure than school email or the old pen and notepad handover book we used to use.

They may have a school based WhatsApp that is used in their school system, agreed as a valid form of communication between staff.

I doubt they are using full names. Even in emails we often would only use first names (and initial if more than one in school) or more often than not just initials.

purplecorkheart · 15/07/2019 19:40

Whatsapp is encrypted isn't it? Probably safer than some email accounts. I am guessing that they use an initial or first name. To be honest I would be quite happy to see them use whatsapp etc. At least of teacher one is messaging teacher two say about medications they will know that the message has been seen.

missyB1 · 15/07/2019 19:41

Depends if they are using their own personal devices that they take home - there are issues with that.

hazeyjane · 15/07/2019 19:43

I'd rather WhatsApp than the poor communication that led to my ds not being given his inhalers on several occasions.

Aragog · 15/07/2019 19:44

Depends if they are using their own personal devices that they take home - there are issues with that.

Not much different to the ability to access email from home as well though is it?

really though GDPR would not allow this and think it’s quite unprofessional.

Why do you think it is unprofessional? Its a fairly secure form of communication, they all access and read the information, and they are all aware of what's going on.

What is your main concern?

Bobbyflay · 15/07/2019 19:48

There maybe an issue if the teachers are using personal mobiles and do not secure their phones with PINs or face recognition.

TheInvestigator · 15/07/2019 19:52

They all have a legitimate need to know. The information mist be shared amongst them. There is no GDPR issue with that.

The fact that it's about medication and health means it is vital they get the information. Using WhatsApp ensures they see it and the others can make sure they have seen it.

The phones will need to be password protected so as long as they are, and no one else has access to the phone then it's completely fine and actually really efficient and makes sure all necessary info is shared quickly and seen.

SignedUpJust4This · 15/07/2019 19:56

You are aware that most teachers access school emails on their phones as well? Or have their own tablets with access to student database. If it's a trip they may have been given school phones with all that info on and a group WhatsApp set up. I think this teacher was trying to reassure you about your son's medical issue and you are just looking for an excuse to whinge at the school. Nice one.

RiddleyW · 15/07/2019 19:56

I work in a GDPR environment and we would not recommend this

What is a GDPR environment? I think this sounds fine and I’m a DPO.

WildAngel · 15/07/2019 20:05

id be happy they are communicating and actively taking interest about DS needs x

Waveysnail · 15/07/2019 20:05

If your son has several adults involved in his care then what's app makes sense. I'm guessing it's on school tablets/laptop

Teddybear45 · 15/07/2019 20:08

Whatsapp is often used because it’s the most secure form of direct communication.

tomatoesandstew · 15/07/2019 20:36

My work has said we all have to stop using whassap to discuss work and arent allowed it on our work phone. Its partly because of GDPR and not having unnecessary copies of people's information. I think it's also to do with whassap storing the data outside of the EU so it's not technically confidential.

It is annoying from a practical point of view as it is very convenient but we now use another system that meets confidentiality / data protection levels. I would not think that whassap was secure enough to discuss confidential info relating to children/ safeguarding etc.

Catinthetwat · 15/07/2019 20:39

I thought WhatsApp used end to end encryption so the info is safer than most other options.?

ceeveebee · 15/07/2019 20:43

I work in a FTSE100 and we use WhatsApp as part of our corporate comms, it is much more secure than email. What is it that you think causes a GDPR problem?

Haffdonga · 15/07/2019 20:46

Yes, Whatsapp is encrypted so it's actually safer than email if un-encrypted(for example). It's only a GDPR concern if the information is somehow put into the wrong hands. (Just as sending a confidential email to the wrong parent would be Bad,)

Lonecatwithkitten · 15/07/2019 20:47

They are using Whatsap to ensure everyone knows when medication is due and that it has been given preventing double dosing. This is legitimate interest and this is one of the key areas that allows for data sharing.

WutheringBites · 15/07/2019 20:53

I’m a dr and we’ve been advised not to use whatsapp in this way...

TBH it was a surprise to me how my son’s school was very relaxed about sharing out information I would treat as confidential in a work setting (medical reports for SEN assessment were just photocopied and shared out). I suspect the approach to data sharing is just different in different settings...?

Lindellia · 15/07/2019 20:57

I’m a doctor and not infrequently my colleagues and I discuss patients over WhatsApp - e.g. a photo of an unusual skin condition might be shared on our group chat to see if anyone has any ideas.

It’s encrypted and absolutely fine.

Isithometimeyet0987 · 15/07/2019 21:03

Where I work children with medical needs sometimes need to be discussed (new information from parents, medication needed to be given) and we use WhatsApp to let other staff know, as we don’t always see each other everyday so this is a easy way to ensure everyone knows the correct information. I’m a Performing Arts teacher in a drama and dance school so sometimes don’t see certain members of staff for weeks if our classes we teach aren’t at similar times/days. As long as full names aren’t used (we usually do first name and first letter of surname) and only staff are in the group chat it is not against GDPR (we got told that by our boss who asked about it). Any parent I’ve talked to about has said it’s a good way of running things as people would normally see WhatsApp quicker than an email and it also shows who’s read the message so if anyone has missed it you can let them know another way.

Poppi89 · 15/07/2019 21:05

Sometimes emails don't get read/go into spam etc. With whatsapp you can see exactly who has and hasn't read it so it is probably a lot safer than relying on just emails especially with something as important like medication.

sewinginscotland · 15/07/2019 21:11

All my doctor friends say the NHS is run using WhatsApp... If it's good enough for confidental medical information in a hospital setting, it's definitely professional enough in a school.

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