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Are CSNSW Psychology Files confidential?
Psychologists in CSNSW keep records of all of their assessments, interventions and consultations. All psychologists maintain their records in accordance with CSNSW Corporate Records Management Policy and associated policies and procedures, with due regard to the Code of Ethics (PDF, 244.9 KB) adopted by the Psychology Board of Australia, including those related to limitations on confidentiality.
Most psychologists' records are kept in the Offender Integrated Management System (OIMS) database and general case management file that is accessible by all staff of Corrective Services NSW. These records provide information and advice to other staff about management strategies specific to people's assessed needs. Records that are more confidential are kept only on a Psychology File that is only accessible by Corrective Services NSW Psychologists and their administrative assistants. These records inform the advice provided by psychologists in CSNSW.
It is important that all psychologists and the people to whom they provide a service know and understand the limits of confidentiality in CSNSW. This includes knowledge of how Psychology Files might be released within and outside CSNSW:
- Voluntary exchange of relevant information with other agencies for ongoing case management and continuity of care
- Mandatory subpoena by a court (NB all subpoenas must be sent in the first instance to the Corrective Services NSW Legal Branch)
- Mandatory exchange of relevant information with other agencies for child protection purposes under Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act, Child Protection (Offender Prohibitions Order) Act 2004,and other relevant legislation (NB all requests for this information must be sent in the first instance to the CSNSW Child Protection Co-ordination and Support Unit)
- Mandatory limited release of information under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NB requests for access under this act must be forwarded to the Information Access and Privacy Unit.
Last updated:
14 Jun 2023
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