Which of the following statements about sharing personal information in direct support is true?

The importance of consent when sharing personal information in direct support is paramount, making the statement about consent being necessary to protect confidentiality both accurate and crucial. Consent serves as a legal and ethical foundation for sharing any personal information, ensuring that individuals have autonomy over their private data. This helps maintain confidentiality, as individuals must agree before their personal details are disclosed to others.

When consent is prioritized, it reinforces the commitment to respecting individuals' privacy rights and builds trust within relationships. Without obtaining consent, sharing personal information can lead to breaches of confidentiality, potentially causing harm to the individuals involved and damaging the relationship between support providers and those they help. Thus, consent acts as a protective measure, obligating direct support professionals to uphold the confidentiality and privacy of the information they handle.