People who do not work for HMRC but who work for businesses that
provide any form of service to the department will make a
declaration of confidentiality. This includes:
The declaration requires them to state that they understand
their duty of confidentiality and will not disclose any information
they receive in the execution of duties in relation to HMRC, except
for the purposes of those duties or in accordance with the
departmental instructions see
IDG90600.
If a contractor makes any unauthorised disclosure of
confidential information they will be subject to the
department’s criminal sanction for breach of confidentiality,
see
IDG40750.
Students on ‘Work Experience Schemes’ may have
access to confidential information at some time during their
placement. They are therefore required to sign the declaration of
confidentiality using the same form as contractors and consultants
(see
IDG90600).
It is important to explain the full significance of the declaration
to them. See
IDG33875 for the confidentiality issues
surrounding students doing research in HMRC.
If schoolchildren visit the office on such schemes as
‘Bring your daughter to work’ and will see or use any
confidential information (including being present at any meetings
where such information is discussed) they must be asked to sign the
contractor’s declaration (see
IDG90600).
There may be other times when you bring your child to the
office. Obviously it is not sensible to present a pre-school age
child with a declaration of confidentiality, but it is advisable to
be aware that any children who have not signed the declaration
should not have access to confidential information nor be allowed
to use HMRC computers.
You should remember that as a parent you are ultimately
responsible for the actions of your child, including any breach of
customer confidentiality.
Further information or advice is available from Human
Resources as outlined at
IDG90100.
Contact Information Strategy (see
IDG90100) if you have any further
queries.
