To be worried/upset/cross that a Social Worker...

[KingCanuteIAm]

Turned up at our school today and told me (a parent) that she was here to collect a child being taken into care?

Basically, I went into the office to hand in trip money and was followed by a Social Worker (she had her ID badge in her hand). There was no-one in the office so we made small talk, after a few minutes she said "I don't know if I am in the right place" so I asked her why she was here, perhaps I could point her in the right direction, her reply? "I am here to pick up a little girl going into care".

I was shocked by that but then someone came into the office so she told them then name of the girl and where she was taking her. So I now know, that a child is being taken into care, who the child is and where she is going.

I have the womans name from her ID badge, should I complain or AIBU and I should let her get on with her work?

I just know if (heaven forbid) something like this happened to me/my dc I would be horrified if I thought it could become playground tittle tattle so easily! (For the record I have not mentioned it to anyone and I will not mention it to anyone - but I know many others wouldn't see the harm in it!)

SO, keep stum or stamp and shout?

So, there were two conversations -
one you had when she said she was taking an un-named child into care, and another conversation she had with school staff during which you overheard her saying the name of the child? Is that right?
Knowing that she was taking a child into care, could you not have stepped back and given the staff some privacy?

I use capitals when it does not seem to be getting across, simply because it is almost impossible to add tone or emphasis to a post online. As you will be aware if you were not being entirely serious because that did not come across at all.

So, are you a social worker? If so can you confirm if the name is part of the confidential information?

King, yes names should be confidential in this context.

Thanks for the post Mary, I'm one of the lucky ones as I work with adults

Chester, you are interesetingly determined to make this my fault arn't you? Perhaps you shoudl re-read the room dimensions, the layout and the situation. The only way I could be out of earshot was to actually walk out of the building - and as the conversation with the secretary went "Hi iam here to...." by the time I had realised what was going on I had already heard everything that was important.

Name and where they're taking her is absolutely confidential.

Let's say, hypothetically, there's a relative who has an interest in where the child is, who is being kept away from the child. For whatever legitimate reason. Let's say you're that relative's sister. Unbeknown to the SW. You could go and tell him where she is. IMHO it's a child protection issue.

Fair point King-I just find it a tad angry!

Canute, I'm absolutely not suggesting you're SW bashing.

appalling breach of confidentiality from someone who should have known much better. Amazingly careless. What's really worrying is that this SW was so unconcerned - didn't pick herself up or apologise or react in any way. Which suggests she may not even realise what she is doing is wrong and dangerous (not least, giving away the child's location - what if there was a risk of violence?).

I would contact the head of SS at the council, with a polite letter spelling out what happened and pointing out that it is a potentially damaging breach of confidentiality. I would ask for reassurance that she has reminded her staff of the importance of NOT disclosing information to random passers by or indeed anyone who does not have a valid reason to be informed.

I would also let the head know.

I know stagger, it is an impossible line to walk because (IMO) using smilies looks patronising, capitals looks angry and doing nothing leaves you open for being completly misread!

King Canute - I make a point of obviously leaving a room if I know a senstive thing is about to be discussed - as you did in this instance. Your school layout does not seem clear btw - were you inside the office or outside the glass window?
Never mind, I am not that interested really.
My main point was that you sounded like you were stirring. It is AIBU afterall. But sw's get enough grief as it is.
From what you have described, it sounds like you did not give the professionals enough space to be able to conduct a discrete conversation anyway.

Mary, sorry, I don't know why on earth I got narky with you then, I realise you are not saying that

It's AIBU. One gets misread. That's the risk one runs by coming on here

Let your words do the talking King

I'm impressed you're sticking with it, if I'm the OP in AIBU, I usually walk off in a huff at this stage

Chester, it is the proffesionals responsibility to discuss sensitive information in a proper surrounding - that is their JOB. It didn't cross my mind that a profesional would disclose confidential information in an open area where anyone could be present.

I just love that you are trying to make the incident my fault - I mean, fair enough you may not agree it needs anything doing about it, but making the actual occurance my fault

Lol, thanks Mary!

TBH, I actually want some help on this one! I wnat people to uderstand the true situation and give me their opinion on what to do. I do not like to complain but I will if I think something is out of order and I think this is out of order but her blase attitude has me questioning that!

Ok King Canute, to your original post - YABU. Is that ok? I though you wanted a discussion by posting here, not just validation?

I know you are busy arguing with unreasonable people trying to make this all your fault, somehow, but may I just point out you got an extra vote for 'complain' several posts ago from me? Just thought it might be getting a bit lost...

Thanks Edam

i agree with Edam

If this social worker knew that you were not a staff member and disclosed information that identified a child/a child care placement in front of you then she needs to be reported.
I am just a bit incredulous that anyone could be so idiotic. However I also know that I have made assumptions about peoples identities-thankfully I tend to ask people who they are.

Chester, I wanted advice on what to do not an accusation that I have no idea how to conduct myself in a difficult situation. TBH, it is pretty basic stuff that the person who is dealing with the sensetive situation should be the ones who take care of confidentiality issues. If, as a parent, I wanted to discuss something difficult I would ask to use a seperate room. I am fairly sure that it is not unreasonable to expect someone whos job it is to deal with difficult situations to be able to manage the same.

Chester, I think you're reading too much into this. There's nothing to stop the SW saying to the school secretary, "sorry, can we have a word in private?" She's the professional. Not Canute.

Canute, give them a call tomorrow to mention this. It's confidential information which was disclosed in public. And the current fear of "SW bashing" mustn't stand in the way of doing the job properly.

(not that I was being pushy or anything... )

Seriously, I do think this should be brought to the attention of the head and director of children's services/whatever the job title is at your council. For all you know, this child could be in danger if their address is being broadcast - and a SW who is so careless could well have blabbed at some other point of her journey. Or about some other child who may be at risk.

I know my Godmother, a retired head of SS, would have been horrified had any of her staff behaved like this.

Ok, missunderstandings aside, it is fairly clear that most people think someone acting like this is not on.

So, wha is the best way to deal with it? A call to SS and the head just to inform them (more of a quite word approach) or a letter to the head or SS .... argh, the possibilities are endless and I bet whatever I decide is going to be wrong!