Which statement about confidentiality in youth groups is most accurate?

• A. Everything shared is confidential
• B. Confidentiality cannot be breached under any circumstances
• C. Confidentiality may be overridden by safety concerns or mandatory reporting laws
• D. Social workers can never share information with parents or guardians

Answer: (C)

Confidentiality in youth work involves protecting a young person’s privacy while also keeping them safe and following the law. The most accurate statement reflects the reality that confidentiality is not absolute. It may be overridden when there are safety concerns or when mandatory reporting laws require disclosure.

In practice, you keep information confidential to the extent possible, sharing only what is needed to protect the youth or others and to follow policy. You should clearly explain to youth the limits of confidentiality from the start, so they understand what could be shared and why. If there’s a real risk of harm to the youth or someone else, or if there are circumstances of abuse or neglect that require reporting by law, you must disclose information to the appropriate people or authorities.

This doesn’t mean you automatically disclose everything to parents or guardians. You typically involve them in decisions when appropriate for the youth’s safety and well-being, and you follow jurisdictional rules and agency policies. The point is to balance privacy with safety and legal obligations.

Why the other statements don’t fit: confidentiality isn’t absolute—there are legitimate reasons to breach it. And information can be shared with parents or guardians when it serves the youth’s best interests or is mandated by law, not never.