Understanding the tension between confidentiality and

information sharing

Damian Hart, YoungMinds

Jacqui Mann, Parent

Olga Hamer, Parent

The story so far…“You build my

resilience and I too can build

resilience in my child.”

Overview

• Introductions

• Personal information exercise

• Feedback from the self assessments

• Communication & Expectations

• The policy framework

• Case study exercises

Sharing personal information

• Write something personal about you on a post it note

• Put into the envelope & seal

• Mark the envelope

• How does it feel…?

• Return envelope

What are CAMHS doing: Communications

What are CAMHS doing: Service Development

Where has it worked well? Where could it be improved?

Expectations

Referrer Child / Young Person

Parent CAMHS

Expectations

• Are they discussed?

• Aligned?

• Working together?

• What happens if not?

• Expectations: interventions, Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Scenario 1

Parents ask for help from the clinician when the child is self harming at home.

• Parents told that it can’t be discussed with them.

• What are the challenges in supporting the parent?

Scenario 2

The child is seeing the clinician for eating disorder and they start to report everything is fine. The mother has just become aware they are visiting Pro.Ana websites and are on forums. The child is discharged.

• What are the challenges in supporting the parent?

Scenario 3

The parent wants to talk to the clinician privately about the progress of the child. The clinician only offers space with the child present.

• What are issues this can cause?

• What are the challenges in supporting the parent?

• What could the impact on the family be?

Scenario 4

Parent receives a copy of a follow-up letter from the clinician that has been sent to the child’s school, GP and Social Care, which contains some inaccurate facts.

Scenario 5

The parents of the children are separated, both have parental responsibility. The mother brings the children to appointments.

• In what circumstances and at what point should the other parent be informed?

Scenario 6

The child has attended CAMHS and has been referred to AMHS. The child no longer wants the parent involved, but the parent has learned that some information in the referral is inaccurate and missing.

• What are the challenges in supporting the parent?

Scenario 7

The CPA is being developed. The parents want their wishes included.

• Are there any circumstances whereby this could be problematic?

Scenario 8

A child who is 15 has been admitted to hospital for overdose (this is the third occasion within 8 months) – they have been seeing CAMHS for about 1 year.

The parents want information as to why this is happening

• What they can do about this?

• What are the tensions in supporting the parent?

YoungMinds is working with NHS England to support the participation of parents and carers in improving mental health services for children and young people.

We are looking for parents to be involved in this work with us to help us shape and inform what we do.

www.youngminds.org.uk

Free, practical resources to help everyone in

the school community step up and support

pupils’ academic resilience.

VisionOur vision is of a society which is active in building the emotional resilience of children and young people,

and which responds caringly and effectively when necessary so that we create emotionally strong, healthy,

contributing and independent adults, families and communities.

MissionImprove the emotional resilience and mental health of children and young people throughout the UK by

informing and actively engaging with children, young people, parents, policymakers and professionals