Confidentiality is at the core of effective peer support.

Boundaries and rules governing confidentiality are there to protect the person seeking help, the peer supporter, the peer support panel, the college and University as a whole.

Confidentiality means that details of conversations had whilst acting as a peer supporter, and in particular the name of the individual sharing their concern, should not go beyond that conversation. Talking about issues raised in peer support supervision meetings should be done without identifying the individual.

There are several exceptions to this rule. In the following situations peer supporters have an obligation to all parties involved to break confidence:
•    If someone has or is talking about attempting suicide
•    If there is evidence of serious mental health problems
•    If there is evidence of serious self harm
•    If others are at risk
•    If a serious criminal offence has been committed

However, no peer supporter will share a concern of the individual involved with anybody else without first discussing this with the individual.

If you have any queries about confidentiality regarding college peer support, please ask a peer supporter or consult the University Counselling Service website - http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/shw/counserv.shtml/