If you work with young people or families in a setting outside of healthcare or education, such as youth clubs, social care services, or residential homes, you may find yourself supporting those who live with HIV. We encourage you to:
- Find specialist services in your area which support children, young people and families living with HIV
- Broaden your understanding of HIV and what it means for families who live with it, particularly on transmission and HIV stigma
Be aware of when a child or young person may need your support around HIV testing and prevention, referring to NCB’s practice guidance on this and BAAF Guidelines for the testing of looked after children
Social workers
You may find it helpful to refer parents to our pages aimed at families living with HIV, about what social care involvement means for them.
Foster carers
There is a dedicated section for foster carers who are looking after children living with HIV, or considering doing so, in our families area.
Confidentiality
It is paramount that professionals working with families who live with HIV understand the impact of stigma (link) associated with HIV. Professionals have a responsibility to uphold the level of confidentiality the child or family require and support them within this context. It is also a professional’s responsibility to address discriminatory attitudes and practices within their work place.
A correct understanding of HIV transmission is important to reducing stigma. Following standard infection control procedures in settings and services, it should be assumed that any individual could potentially have HIV or another blood borne virus.
Use of a confidentiality agreement can ensure that professionals do not breach confidentiality around HIV as this clearly outlines who already knows about HIV in the family, and who the family consent to being told.
Update to confidentiality and data sharing guidance on HIV
There’s been a recent update on how patients’ HIV information is kept in different health settings and who has access to it. Read the latest.
Psychosocial issues
When working with young people who live with HIV, it’s worth thinking about other issues that might be affecting them.
