School guidence councelor confidentiallity issue?

Question

does it break confidentiality laws for a guidence councelor to call a parent about an issue in school that involves not eating in the cafeteria?

one of my daughters friends' parents was called by the councelor because she didnt eat during lunch period. this was after being told by the student not after being observed.????

Answer 1

I'm a "reasonable" person, and it seems to me that the best interests of the child over-ride confidentiality issues.

The school counselor is not there as a Dear Abby, or a Father Confessor. His or her job is to deal with issues that affect a student's ability to learn.

Schools have school lunch programs because of the relation between having something to eat and being able to learn anything.

This could well have been a child protection issue as well.  What if the kid (presumably a girl), skips lunch at school then tells her mother she's not hungry at dinner because she ate at school?  As you know, eating disorders kill people.

I think the counselor had a duty to tell the parents.

Answer 2

no it doesnt unless the kid specifies they dont even want their parent to know. parents are the caretakers of the child so unless the kid tells the counselor, the parents are and should be automatically notified.

Answer 3

Since the person in question is a minor there are no confidentiality conflicts.  The counselor obviously felt the issue was important enough to share this with the parents, which he/she can legally do.  Maybe he was concerned that the child was or has developed an unhealthy eating habit and is just concerned.

Answer 4

I don't think it breaks confidentiality...usually the parents are the ones taking their kids to counseling so if there is something the parents need to know it should be said.  Also if the child is under 14 she has no rights.  Sorry.

Answer 5

There are codes of conduct they must follow. Confidentiality can be broken if there is risk to life and limb of children. Trust the professionals.

Answer 6

I'd have to agree with most of the above posts.  A child's guidance councelor is there to act in the best interest of the child and with eating disorders at an all time high, she probably felt the necessity to notify the parent ....for the child...not against the child. And the fact that the child told this to the guidance councelor sounds to me like a cry for help, otherwise why would she have told her?   Children do not have rights when their own best interest is at stake  as they often do not exercise  the best judgement  .  Young teens are too easily influenced and do not usually have the capability to make sound decisions.  I do not think a guidance councelor is a part of any confidentiality laws.

Answer 7

I don't think it would. After all the principal could have called instead.  Also if the girl is being watched for signs of depression or an eating disorder, the parents would HAVE to be informed so to be able to follow up at home.

Answer 8

This does not break confidentiality.  

Confidentiality applies to information shared during a private session after obtaining a parents consent, information related to testing or school placement issues,  and other information under  FERPA.

It sounds like the counselor did what the school felt was in the best interest of the child.  If I were her parents I would be happy to know someone at school cared about and was looking out for my child- and whether or not it was seen first hand she took the time to contact parents and make the effort.

Answer 9

no i dont think there is a confidentiality thing in schools