Having confidence in therapeutic work with young people: constraints and challenges to confidentiality

Jenkins, P 2010, 'Having confidence in therapeutic work with young people: constraints and challenges to confidentiality' , British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 38 (3) , pp. 263-274.

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Abstract

Confidentiality presents particular challenges to practitioners working with young people, on account of the latter's vulnerability and emotional immaturity. Ethical codes place a key importance on confidentiality, from deontological and teleological perspectives. However, young clients may rely on a more pragmatic approach in deciding whether to disclose personal material to a counsellor. Surveys indicate that young people place high value on confidentiality in school and healthcare advice settings. Practitioners may perceive constraints and challenges to providing high levels of confidentiality to young people, in the form of assumed duties to report child abuse, under-age sexual activity, and the need to obtain prior parental consent for counselling. These apparent constraints are clarified in the light of recent statute and case law, which, in reality, provide robust support in law for counsellors providing high levels of confidentiality to young people.

Item Type:	Article
Themes:	Subjects / Themes > H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform Subjects outside of the University Themes
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society > Centre for Applied Research in Health, Welfare and Policy
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Guidance & Counselling
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	0306-9885
Depositing User:	Users 29196 not found.
Date Deposited:	27 Jan 2011 14:31
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2022 11:00
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/12848

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