About this resource
Occasionally a client says something that raises concern for another person's safety. Australian privacy law allows information to be shared without consent where you reasonably believe it is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to someone's life, health or safety, and professional codes ask you to seek advice. This record keeps the facts, the consultation and your reasoning together.
Purpose
To record concerns about harm to others and the reasoning behind any decision to share information.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Counsellors and therapists. Also relevant for psychologists, social workers, youth workers.
Client or participant group: Adults and young people seeing a counsellor or therapist.
Practice setting: Counselling and therapy services, including private practice, schools and community services.
Suggested uses
- When a client makes a threat or talks about harming someone
- Consulting a supervisor or legal adviser
- Documenting a decision to share, or not share, information
Instructions for practitioners
- If anyone is in immediate danger, call 000.
- Record exactly what was said, and when.
- Consult your supervisor and, where needed, your professional association or insurer, as soon as you can.
- Decide what to do, and who needs to know, sharing only what is necessary.
- Record your reasoning, even if you decide not to act.
Accessibility considerations
Use the person's own words. Offer an interpreter, a support person or a different format where it helps.
Scope and limitations
A record-keeping tool. It is not legal advice and does not predict violence. Obligations vary by state and territory and by employer; seek advice from your supervisor, professional association or insurer. In an emergency, call 000.
Higher-risk topic: use only within your training, supervision and organisational procedures.
Research basis
Australian privacy law allows personal information to be shared without consent where this is reasonably believed necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to someone's life, health or safety. Professional guidance asks counsellors to keep accurate records, explain the limits of confidentiality and seek advice.
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner. Australian Privacy Principles guidelines, Chapter C: Permitted general situations. https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/chapter-c-permitted-general-situations
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. Code of Ethics. https://pacfa.org.au/Portal/Prac-Res/Code-of-Ethics.aspx
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia. Good practice guidelines. https://pacfa.org.au/portal/Portal/Prac-Res/Good-Practice-Guidelines.aspx
What is included
A 3-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced. Written for Practitioner Plus from the guidelines and research listed in the research basis; no third-party template was used.
