You should provide your personal assistant with information and/or training so that they understand the importance of confidentiality and how to maintain this in their work.
Confidentiality is important for both you and your personal assistant. You will hold confidential information about your personal assistant, and they will know much about you that you wouldn’t want passed on. Most of the time you should ask each other before you share any information with anyone else. This should be with informed consent (this means you understand the consequences and have had no pressure put on you). There are some exceptions to this.
Your personal assistant will have access to personal information about you in order to meet your needs and wishes. As it is personal, it is important that you make it clear to your personal assistant exactly who they may share it with and in what circumstances. For example, it is only shared with people who really need to know it, such as other people or organisations who provide you with support; and only if you are not able to give that information yourself. No information should be shared with anyone, even your family or friends, against your wishes.
Sometimes your personal assistant may have to share information about you without your agreement, such as in medical emergencies, or if they thought you were being abused by someone else.
Your personal assistant would also be obliged to pass on information if you have broken the law or if they believe you intend to break the law.
There is also information you need to hold on your personal assistant. This should be kept securely so that other people cannot access it. If a personal assistant breaks a confidence this should be treated as a disciplinary matter. Further details about gross misconduct are included in the templates booklet.