Privacy & Confidentiality

Guiding Principles

STOP has a very clear policy regarding Privacy and Confidentiality. Confidentiality of all personal information is given high priority and systems are in place to ensure this. The STOP Children’s Services’ practices and procedures will protect and respect client’s privacy, both in terms of face-to-face contact and client records. However, in some circumstances, where there are risks to other persons or to clients themselves, there will be limits to the level of privacy and confidentiality held.

The safety and well-being of the persons who have been harmed sexually, and any potential persons at direct risk of being harmed sexually, have paramountcy when considering the respective rights to privacy of STOP clients.

In all discussions with clients and their families pertaining to privacy, consent and records, clinicians will ensure that the language used is understandable, culturally sensitive, and concise. Opportunities will be offered, both at the time and during at least one subsequent discussion, for clients and/or family members to ask questions or seek clarification as to the meaning and the implications of these policies.

Client Records

STOP is required to keep adequate and accurate records of the services it has delivered. Client files are the principle method of recording details of the service delivery at an individual level. Clients’ files are securely held at the offices of STOP, and only authorised persons will have access to such information. Clients have the right to request access to information about themselves, and to request the information be corrected if they believe it to be incorrect. Any such requests are managed in a manner consistent with the Privacy Act, 1993. Any inaccuracies in the client records, revealed as a result of this process, shall be immediately rectified, with evidence provided that this has occurred.

Other records held are of a non-identifying statistical nature and are used for the organisation’s accountability to funding stakeholders and for research purposes.

Privacy Practices

Privacy is maintained except in circumstances where a child’s personal safety or safety of others is threatened. All clinicians working on the STOP Children’s Service are members of professional associations and follow the ethical guidelines and principles required of that association.

Honesty is encouraged and is a key component to enable families to support children on the STOP Children’s Service. Parents/Whanau/caregivers will need to expect to share details of their child’s sexualised behaviour as well as other relevant personal information to assist the assessment and intervention processes. The purpose is to work together to help the child stop the concerning sexual behaviour and to be safe with others.

For more detailed information on Privacy and Confidentiality Click here  Complaint Process