The Women’s Centre operates on the basis that all users of its service have a right to expect a confidential service. Whilst recognising that the effective maintenance of confidentiality for all service users is a complex and delicate activity, the organisation is committed to providing a safe space for women and teenage girls to work on their experiences including abuse, sexual and domestic violence and it sees the provision of a confidential service as an integral part of this. This policy will be shared with all new services users at the initial meeting stage. Confidentiality refers to our duty not to reveal to any external organisation or individual outside The Women’s Centre any information relating to another person, which has been given to us in trust. It is important to maintain confidentiality and to ensure that women using our organisation, and where appropriate members of other agencies and the general public, are aware that we have such a policy. All staff, volunteers and service users are aware through our safeguarding policies and practice of the exceptions to maintaining confidentiality. If sufficient details are held on a service user, it is rare to have a situation where it is necessary or ethical to break confidentiality. However, there may be exceptions when it is necessary to do so. These are as follows: • When a child or adult with care and support needs is at risk of harm through abuse or neglect (see Child Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Adults Policy) • When there is a serious risk of harm to the service user or others • When there is a court order or other legal requirements. The decision on whether to break confidentiality will be decided on a case by case basis and always in conjunction with the Chief Executive, or in their absence the designated Safeguarding Lead.