Privacy Policy in relation to Client Confidentiality
As a client of OPAL you can be assured that your confidentiality is of utmost importance
to us. Whatever service that you engage in with OPAL, we are committed to respecting
your privacy and confidentiality. We will not use any contact information (e.g.
Postal address, phone number, e-
If you engage on a programme of therapy or training you will be eligible to receive a range of services in relation to your therapy / training. The type and extent of services that you will receive will be determined following an initial assessment and thorough discussion with you. The goal of the assessment process is to determine the best course of therapy / training for you. All information shared with your therapist / coach / learning facilitator is confidential and no information will be released without your consent. In normal circumstances, consent to release information is requested / given through written authorisation. Verbal consent for limited release of information may be requested / given in special circumstances.
There are specific and limited exceptions to this confidentiality which include the following:
A. When there is risk of imminent danger to you or to another person, we are ethically bound to take necessary steps to prevent such danger.
B. When there is suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused or is at risk of abuse, we are legally required to take steps to protect the child, / vulnerable adult and to inform the proper authorities.
C. When a valid court order is issued for client records, the we are bound by law to comply with such requests.
Professional Code of Ethical Conduct
The standards of conduct, performance and ethics that OPAL Practitioners are required to adhere to include:
To act in the best interests of service users
To maintain high standards of assessment and practice
To respect the confidentiality of service users
To keep high standards of personal conduct
To provide (to us and any other relevant regulators and/or professional bodies) any important information about their conduct and competence
To keep their professional knowledge and skills up to date
To act within the limits of their knowledge, skills and experience and, if necessary, refer the matter to another practitioner
To communicate properly and effectively with service users and other practitioners
To effectively supervise tasks that they have asked other people to carry out
To get informed consent to give treatment
To keep accurate records
To deal fairly and safely with the risks of infection
To limit their work or stop practising if their performance or judgement is affected by your health
To behave with honesty and integrity and make sure that their behaviour does not damage the public’s confidence in them or their profession
To make sure that they promote themselves accurately