Students have a right to view most of the information held about them under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998. Tutees should be able to trust that you will respect their wishes regarding confidentiality, unless there is a requirement on you to disclose the information. If you have concerns regarding the wellbeing of a student, you may need to disclose details to another person or service that is better placed to help. You should discuss this with the student before sharing the information and it is wise to confirm the agreement to disclosure of information in writing. If you suspect that a tutee has committed a criminal offence, then you may have a legal obligation to disclose information which takes precedence over the student’s wishes.
Ultimately, you have a right to balance confidentiality against other obligations, but if you are in any doubt you consult your Subject Director for advice.