All the people who work at Sandyford, including staff at our
special young people's clinics called The Place, have had training in how
confidentiality works and in protecting children and young
people.
At the Sandyford confidentiality means that if any young
person or adult talks to a professional person like a nurse or
doctor about something then the professional person should not tell
other people without the permission of the young person or
adult.
At all Sandyford clinics we help and encourage young people to
talk to their parent or carer about sex and relationships.
If a young person is 13, 14 or 15 years old and talks to someone
at Sandyford about something to do with sex or relationships their
conversation should be confidential unless someone is harming them
or they are in danger. The kinds of things that might concern us is
if a young person has a partner who is:
- Much older.
- Asking them to keep the relationship a secret and not talk to
anyone to get the information, support or advice they need.
- Trying to keep them involved by buying them things or giving
them money.
- Asking them to do things that make them feel uncomfortable or
that they don't want to do.
- Hurting them in some way.
If we have a concern about a 13, 14 or 15 year old we will
continue talking to them and speak with other professional people
who can help if we have ongoing child protection concerns.
If a young person comes to a Sandyford clinic who is 12 years
old or under we will always be concerned if they are having sex and
we will use our child protection policy to make sure they are
safe.
If young people want some advice about confidentiality and
keeping safe they can contact The Place which is part of
the Sandyford. It's a young people friendly sexual health service.
Phone: 0141 211 8130 for more.
If a young person feels a professional person has not respected
their right to confidentiality they can get free advice about what
to do from the Scottish Child Law Centre. Phone: 0800
3288970.
Children and young people who have a worry can contact
ChildLine for confidential help and support: Phone 0800
1111.
There's more for parents and carers in the Information, help and
support section.
Women's support project are
pleased to launch a new free series of short information booklets
on different aspects of sexual exploitation.
These are for parents and workers for background reading and for
supporting discussions with young people.