As a support worker the most likely way you will be involved in a data breach is through something you say or do.
But don’t worry there are some simple tips to help avoid some of the most likely scenarios.
Email safety and security
Love it or hate it but email is here to stay and the chances are you use it almost every day.
Here are a few activities to get you thinking about data protection when communicating electronically.
Lets take a look at this email a staff member sent to their manager using their personal email. Does it ring any alarm bells?
Hi,
I am worried that Jill at 14 Mount Pleasant isn’t eating properly. Please can someone check that she is ok.
She was really grumpy this morning and wouldn’t take her warfarin.
Her telephone number is 01234 56789
cheers,
June
Click on these tabs to see what was wrong with it
Email encryption
Ask your organisation how to send encrypted emails. They must have a way of doing this to make sure any personal data is kept secure when sent by email. If you don’t have access to encrypted emails then make sure you know what information you can’t send by normal email.
Oh No!
Before you hit send on that email, check to make sure you don’t make any of these common mistakes…
- Have you used the correct email address? Auto-correct can be dangerous when adding the email address. For example, adding Sarah Johns instead of Sara Johnson.
- Are you sending an email to lots of people outside of your organisation and not using the BCC field. Be careful as they will all be able to see each others details.
- Have you attached the correct file. Open the file you have attached and double check.
- Remove any private comments from colleagues in your emails. For example, a forwarded comment from your manager telling you they don’t have time and need you to sort it for them.
- Should you hit “Reply to all”, or do you want to forward it or exclude some people from your reply?
A quick thought about you and your family!
Working in Social Care is incredibly rewarding. But there are some days when you just need to talk about your day. Maybe you were shouted at or had to deal with someone who was very ill or maybe even died.
It’s natural to talk to your family about this, and it is important that you do. But you must NOT tell them anything personal about the individual’s you support.
This includes their:
- Name
- Home address
- or details about their family
You have to respect their privacy. If it has really upset you then you should talk to your manager. This is called a debrief and is a chance to give you some support straight away.
What ever you do you must tell someone how you feel. This is important for your mental health and well-being.
Pay particular attention to your children. They might not appear to be listening but just ask any teacher about what the little angels tell them Mummy and Daddy said last night!
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