Confidentiality: Investigating the impact of breaches of confidentiality on teenage children in care

Abstract

Children in care often experience breaches in confidentiality. They live within close confines, are under the scrutiny of a range of care workers and often express a sense of lack of personal space and privacy. This becomes especially apparent when they become older and are able to realise or understand the the impact of this on their lives. Child care workers play a significant role in the child's life and therefore must be aware of the needs of growing children in terms of their physical and psychological health (Basckin in Watson 1997). Adolescence is a time of testing, exploring and sometimes turmoil. The adolescent is growing more independent and developing his/her own identity. It is the time when "self-esteem wavers and is dependent on evaluation by peers" and significant others (Wade and Tavris 1991:505). Such breaches in confidentiality may affect the adolescent's self-esteem. Their problems are being shared with others and their peers are getting to know about their feelings and problems. The adolescent deems this to be undesirable.

Except in certain circumstances, social workers are bound by principles of confidentiality as made explicit by the South African Council for Social Work (1986). This forms part of the profession's respect for the dignity and worth of every human being. Child care workers are bound by similar principles of confidentiality, as stated by the National Association of Child Care Workers (NACCW).