Operation Emotion operates the following policies and would expect its members to respect and promote good practice

Confidentiality

General statement:

Operation Emotion has produced this policy as a commitment to maintaining confidentiality in all areas of its work involving supporting organisations, counsellors, volunteers and users.

All people using or connected to Operation Emotion must be aware of this document and its implications to their part within the group.  Each person should be aware of his or her own responsibility in making this an effective policy.

Operation Emotion recognises that all people have a right to confidential information, advice and support, and counselling services. Operation Emotion respects the confidential nature of the information given by and about people using the Group.

However, Operation Emotion also recognises its duty to child protection and personal safety issues which may affect its ability to remain confidential in all situations.

Reasons for not maintaining confidentiality

The following three headings identify key instances where it may be necessary to break confidentiality:

Illegal activity:

There is no duty in law to report committed or threatened illegal acts unless it is an offence under the prevention of terrorism act.  The project does have a responsibility to provide, as far as possible, a safe environment for staff and users and confidentiality may need to be broken when illegal activity threatens that safety. This may include one or more persons making active threats to harm, physically or mentally, another person using our service or any other services or activities associated with us.  It would certainly be justified if acts of a sexually abusive or violent nature have occurred, or where the threat of such occurring is believed to be a serious one.

Child abuse:

The project recognises the importance of the issue of confidentiality when dealing with disclosures of abuse, and staff should sensitively respect a person’s desire for sharing information in confidence.  Any decision to break confidentiality on these grounds should be considered on an individual basis, with due reference to Children Act, section 47, concerning “Significant Harm”.  Decisions will need to consider the age of the person, their relationship to the abuser and whether the abuse is past or present.  Attention should be drawn, once again, to the Gillick Ruling around sufficient understanding.  Project staff should always explain clearly to the person that there are circumstances in which it will not be possible to keep certain types of information confidential, and that an external agency will need to be notified, following the procedures given in section 1.0 below.  It may be appropriate with some people to give this explanation prior to any anticipated disclosure.

Medical attention:

Where a person is in need of medical attention due to acts of self-harm, suicide attempts or physical harm perpetrated by another, then in the best interests of that person confidentiality cannot be maintained.  The interpretation of this issue when dealing with a person misusing drugs is far from straightforward.

Procedures to follow when breaking confidentiality

1.0 Members should keep the person informed of all steps about be taken, or which have had to be taken, concerning any decision to break confidentiality.  Whenever possible this should include informing the person involved of any need to contact emergency services.  The appropriated workers must make an offer of continuing help and support to the person involved.

1.1   A decision to break confidentiality, especially when disclosure of abuse has been made, should whenever possible be discussed with a professional worker, and where necessary with management, before forwarding information to outside agencies.  The worker experiencing any disclosure of abuse should try to ascertain as much information as is possible to help in making any later decision to break confidentiality.  In all situations staff should remain sensitive to the difficulties faced by a person in disclosing information, and avoid putting any pressure on a person to say more than they wish to.  Project workers following this code of practice should feel able to gain full support of colleagues and users before, during and after making decisions about breaking confidentiality.

Behaviour Policy

1.2 No-one is permitted to attend group sessions if under the influence of alcohol/drugs, including certain prescribed medications, or if already under extreme stress for other serious distracting issues that can delay their healing process.

1.3 No anger, violence, or threats of violence should be directed to group members. You maybe asked to leave the group to calm down in the event of an outburst but will be asked to leave indefinitely if your behaviour causes a constant problem to the group.

Permission Policy

Operation Emotion is supported by numerous organisations and as such should ensure that communication is paramount.  This means that one person cannot make a major decision without the support and permission from at least one representative from each organisation.  This will include press releases, the invitation of new support and anything that could cause concern or distrust between parties.

Safety Policy

The safety of the group cannot be compromised for the sake of one individual and as such members can decide to exclude a person if they feel that safety is being breached.

If the facilitator feels that the safety of group members is at risk at any time, he or she may choose to end an entire group session.  Care should be taken to provide support to individuals should this occur.