Confidentiality?

[sober40]

Hi there

I don't want to go into too much detail but does anyone know if I disclose something to my DS's tutor at school, would she then be obliged to tell the entire staff body? Would it be discussed at staff meetings?

It's a small rural prep school. Lots of the staff have children in the school. The lines between professional and personal relationships are very often blurred. I realise technically things I disclosed at school shouldn't then reach playground but I'm certain it would. I trust his tutor but other members of staff...not so much.

DS in 10 and in Y6. The issue is related to my DH's health so not directly to do with DS, but it's affecting him hugely. If it's likely to spread like wildfire, I think me speaking to his tutor, would harm DS more than it would help him

Thank you.

Speak to the head of year and explain it is confidential.

Of course she wouldn't.
If you have concerns, then, like Cauliflower said, emphasise you on't want other members of staff knowing about it.

The only times they would be right to tell other staff members is if either you asked them to share some information, or if it were something such as a health issue with your child at the school, where - for example, they would need all members of staff to know if he might have an epileptic seizure or a severe allergic reaction or something people would need to respond to. Otherwise, all information shared with any member of staff should only be shared on a 'need to know' basis.

If a student wants to tell us something ‘confidentially’, our policy (and I think our legal requirement) is to say that while we will aim to keep information confidential, if we believe that the young person or someone else is at risk of harm, we will pass the information on to appropriate people (i.e. our Designated Safeguarding Person who will then make the decision about whether to pass it in to police, social services etc).

The school will have a written policy on this.