Confidentiality in Child‐Welfare Practice

Confidentiality is a moral obligation for reasons of autonomy and trust among persons. But it may be overridden where significant harm may result from maintaining it. Since the interests of the child are paramount, whatever is harmful to the child must be given primary consideration. At least five variables bear on this matter. Since confidentiality is a right, distinctions about rights are relevant to it. In various respects confidentiality is both a negative and a positive right, and an active right as well as a passive one. The client has certain duties of trustworthiness and trying to benefit from the caseworker's guidance.