ABSTRACT
Youth workers often form close relationships with young people who seek them out to help with personal problems. Young people discuss their feelings and actions with youth workers and expect or request that these discussions be kept confidential. Dilemmas arise when young people’s wishes conflict with agency policy, other youth work values, expectations of other professionals and agencies, or when activities are illegal. Youth workers are also party to information about young people’s activities that they overhear or observe during their work. Some of this information may simply be known about; some may be recorded in files. There are ethical issues around what types of information should be regarded as confidential; to whom confidentiality should be extended; what should be recorded; who should have access to records; in what circumstances information should be revealed; and whether young people should be informed.
