Children placed with foster carers come from different backgrounds and experiences. While working with children and foster carers, our staff may receive confidential information in relation to the children and their families. We believe that all the information in relation to the child, their families, and foster carers, should be kept confidential between the agency and child's social worker and should not be disclosed to anybody who does not have right to know.

The policy document contains guidance notes on who and how to disclose/share confidential information. All decisions about information sharing will be made in conjunction with the concerned local authority. This policy also sets out expectations that the agency has from its staff and foster carers with regards to confidential information that they may have access to and establishes protocol for practice standards.

At an early stage in placement the carer will explain to a child/young person that they cannot "keep secrets" and that they work with the social worker in relation to all matters of concern. This aspect of the policy is clearly explained, in an age appropriate way, in the children's guide that is provided to all children in our placements.