Confidential information is information of some sensitivity which is not already lawfully in the public domain or readily available from another public source and which has been shared in a relationship where the person giving the information understood it would not be shared with others In the ABC Nursery, staff and managers can be said to have a ‘Confidential Relationship’ with families, therefore It is our intention to respect the privacy of children and their parent / carers while ensuring that they receive high quality early years care and education We aim to ensure that all parents and carers can access their information and that of their children in the confidence that if will only be used to enhance the welfare of their children

Confidentiality Procedures

• We always check whether parents regard the information they share with us to be regarded as Confidential or Not • Some parents will sometimes share information about themselves with other parents as well as members of staff, the nursery can not be held responsible if information is shared beyond those parents to whom the person has ‘Confided’ in • We inform parents when we need to record confidential information beyond the general personal information we keep, for example, any injuries, concerns or changes in relation to the child or family, any discussions with parents on sensitive matters, any records we are obliged to keep regarding action taken in respect of Child Protection and any contact / correspondence with external agencies in relation to their child • We keep all records securely

Client Access to Records Procedures

• Any request to see a child’s personal file by a parent or person with parental responsibility, must be made in writing to the Nursery Manager • The Nursery commits to providing access within 14 days of request, although this could be extended • The Nursery Manager/Key-person prepares the file for viewing • If outside agencies request information, all third parties are written to, stating that a request for disclosure has been received and asking for their permission to disclose to the person requesting • Third parties may include all family members who may be referred to in records, this also includes workers from other agencies, including social care, the health authority etc., it is however usual to refuse consent to disclose, preferring the individual to go directly to them • When all the replies have been received, these are attached to the copy of request letter and a photocopy of the complete file is made • The Nursery Manager goes through the file and removes any information which a third party has refused consent to disclose, this is then photocopied for the parents, who are invited to discuss the contents with the Nursery Manager to explain any issues

Legal Framework

• Data Protection Act 1998 • Human Rights Act 1998

Policy correct as of 01/04/2016

Phone / Camera Policy Nursery phone and cameras only to be used in the Nursery. All photographs when printed are deleted by the Manager of the Nursery No mobile phones or cameras belonging to staff/volunteers/visitors are allowed in Nursery during opening hours Mobile phones are to be put in the designated box there are no exceptions. All visitors to Nursery should be asked to relinquish their phones. Phones can be retrieved when all children have departed at the end of sessions or when adult leaves and they should be escorted off the premises. SOCIAL NETWORK POLICY Employees and volunteers must not relay information regarding the Nursery on any social network site, other than the nurseries own Website and face book pages without the permission of the Manager. (This may lead to Disaplinary Action)