There are a number of ways that confidentiality can be breached, including sharing information without consent, gossiping about individuals, or taking photographs or videos without consent. Breaches of confidentiality can have a devastating impact on people's lives and can undermine their trust in health and social care professionals.

Confidentiality is vital to protect the privacy of individuals and to ensure that they feel safe to share information with professionals. If people feel that their personal information will not be kept confidential, they may be less likely to seek help and support from professionals.

When you breach confidentiality in health and social care, you are essentially violating the trust that is placed in you by both your clients and your employer. There are a number of potential consequences that can result from such a violation, including:

termination of employment,
disciplinary action from your employer,
loss of professional licensure or certification,
civil or criminal penalties.