Confidentiality is an important part of your responsibility as a caregiver and is part of the Licensing Standards Section 402.24. Information shared with you by the caseworker or other members of the child welfare team is shared in confidence to help you understand and care for the child as you attempt to meet his or her needs daily. This information should not be discussed with neighbors, friends, relatives, or other caregivers.

Children can become very upset, feel bad about themselves and lose faith in their foster parents when they overhear conversations about themselves or their family situations. Children also lose trust when suddenly confronted with confidential information by someone they feel should not know that information. For both reasons—the child’s self-esteem and continued trust in you, and because it is your legal responsibility—information should be kept confidential.