being outed by teacher

my son is 19 and attending collage recently there have been a couple of incidents where he upset another pupil annoying him , the pupil reported him my son has been excluded from collage this week, today on of the class ha messaged my son to say the tutor has told the whole class hes autistic , and not to tell  my son hes informed the class... isthis allowed its private information, shurly its up to my son to disclose this information if he chooses, at the moment he want to kill himself

Parents
  • Hi Joolie -

    I work in a college and this is absolutely NOT allowed! As he is 19, he is an adult learner and they would require his consent to share information like that, which clearly they don't have. The only time you may (and even this is really dodgy!) share information is to prevent harm in a safeguarding situation, which is most definitely isn't. By doing what they've done they have put your son in danger from himself and in danger of being marginalised by others. 

    The first thing I would do is send an email - best to have it in writing - outlining their actions and why this is unacceptable. You need to also explain the impact this has had on your son. You should also at this point ask for a copy of their behaviour management policy and exclusion policy - I'm willing to bet that there is no place in it for them telling confidential information to students in there! You then need to arrange a meeting between you, the staff member and their manager to discuss how, if at all, you move forward from here. 

    HOWEVER I should warn you that it wouldn't be the first time a student has passed on false information to another student for a response - so before you really hit the roof, are you sure that what has been passed on to you is true?? Could there be a simple explanation (I.e student overhearing a confidential conversation between staff, or just plain lying to your son?) I'm not saying not to believe it, but just be wary that's all. Either way the situation needs action. 

    Hope that helps. 

    Kat. 

Reply
  • Hi Joolie -

    I work in a college and this is absolutely NOT allowed! As he is 19, he is an adult learner and they would require his consent to share information like that, which clearly they don't have. The only time you may (and even this is really dodgy!) share information is to prevent harm in a safeguarding situation, which is most definitely isn't. By doing what they've done they have put your son in danger from himself and in danger of being marginalised by others. 

    The first thing I would do is send an email - best to have it in writing - outlining their actions and why this is unacceptable. You need to also explain the impact this has had on your son. You should also at this point ask for a copy of their behaviour management policy and exclusion policy - I'm willing to bet that there is no place in it for them telling confidential information to students in there! You then need to arrange a meeting between you, the staff member and their manager to discuss how, if at all, you move forward from here. 

    HOWEVER I should warn you that it wouldn't be the first time a student has passed on false information to another student for a response - so before you really hit the roof, are you sure that what has been passed on to you is true?? Could there be a simple explanation (I.e student overhearing a confidential conversation between staff, or just plain lying to your son?) I'm not saying not to believe it, but just be wary that's all. Either way the situation needs action. 

    Hope that helps. 

    Kat. 

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