At the core of our service is a commitment to discretion and confidentiality. We prioritise the privacy of our clients, ensuring that all service users can trust in the confidentiality of their personal information.
Offices & Services
All staff members and volunteers are required to sign confidentiality agreements and fully adhere to the Data Protection Act and GDPR Legislation.
Additionally, our counsellors follow the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice, ensuring that each interaction is handled with the highest standard of professionalism and respect for privacy. Your trust and confidentiality are of the utmost importance to us.
Confidentiality Limits
What you share with a support worker or counsellor is treated with the utmost confidentiality. However, there are specific situations where this confidentiality may not be upheld in order to protect your safety or the safety of others.
These situations include:
- If there is a concern that a child or another vulnerable person may be at risk of abuse.
- If there is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others.
- If a court of law subpoenas notes or testimony as part of legal proceedings or an investigation by An Garda Síochána.
- Where the Counsellor/Support Worker is receiving clinical supervision.
Our Primary Aim is to Support You
In all cases, our primary aim is to support you, while adhering to both our legal and ethical responsibilities. Confidentiality is also subject to legal requirements. We are legally obligated to report the following:
- Instances of current or historical child abuse or neglect.
If such a situation arises, you will be informed and made aware through a discussion with the volunteer or staff member you’re working with. Your support worker or counsellor will maintain written records of your sessions, and they are required to document any disclosures or statements of facts that may relate to these circumstances. Our primary goal is to ensure your safety while adhering to the law and providing you with the necessary support.
What This Means for Helpline Service Users
While our helpline is a confidential service, there are some situations where we may need to share information to protect your safety or the safety of others. If we believe you are in immediate danger or require urgent medical attention, we may need to contact emergency services. In these cases, your details may be shared to ensure you get the help you need. If you tell us that a child or a vulnerable adult is at risk of harm, we are legally obligated to report this to An Garda Síochána or Tusla so that appropriate support can be provided. If you are under 18 and disclose that you have been, or are at risk of being, harmed, abused, or neglected, we must report this to Tusla or An Garda Síochána in order to protect your wellbeing.
In these situations, we may ask for information such as:
- Your full name
- Your address or current location
- Your telephone number
Please know that these steps are only taken in emergency situations, and we do not make these decisions lightly. Our priority is always your safety and wellbeing.
Services We Provide at SOSAD Ireland
Professional Counselling Services
24 Hour Helpline and Support
Suicide - Recognising The Signs
Online DBT Group
Drop In Centre - Cavan
Drop In Centre - Laois
Speak To Us In Confidence
At the core of our service is a commitment to discretion and confidentiality. We prioritise the privacy of our clients, ensuring that all service users can trust in the confidentiality of their personal information.
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