Introduce
Handling sensitive information requires both knowledge and practical skills. Practitioners must ensure that information is stored, shared, and disposed of securely while adhering to legal and ethical guidelines.
Develop
The image below outlines key principles for handling information responsibly in early years and family support settings. It highlights five essential areas—recording, retaining, disposing of, sharing information securely, and documenting decisions. Each step plays a crucial role in protecting children, families, and professionals, ensuring that information is managed lawfully, ethically, and with care. Real-life examples help illustrate how to apply these principles in practice.
Reflect
Stop and Reflect: The aim of these questions are to encourage self-reflection and help to strengthen your skills in handling sensitive information effectively and responsibly:
– How confident are you in securely recording and storing sensitive information? What steps could you take to improve?
– Have you encountered any challenges when handling confidential information? How did you address them?
– In what ways can you improve collaboration with colleagues while maintaining confidentiality and data security?