Safeguarding Policy for Adults, Vulnerable Adults, and Children
This policy outlines my commitment to safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of clients, particularly those who are vulnerable, while maintaining ethical, legal and professional standards.
1. Safeguarding Principles
As a practitioner, I am committed to:
Prioritising safety: Actively working to prevent harm while respecting your autonomy.
Legal compliance: Adhering to relevant UK laws, including:
Protecting children: working according to the current national framework for child protection, and its equivalents abroad.
Trauma-informed care: Providing nonjudgmental support that prioritises your safety, empowerment, and dignity, consistent with trauma-informed principles.
Equitable access to healthcare: Supporting you in accessing appropriate healthcare, in line with WHO’s emphasis on health as a universal human right.
International considerations: For clients outside the UK, I will consider local safeguarding regulations, healthcare systems, and cultural contexts and signpost to appropriate services in your region where necessary.
At the beginning of therapy, clients must provide emergency contact details and information for their GP or equivalent healthcare provider to enable appropriate safeguarding actions if necessary.
2. Confidentiality and Its Limitations
Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy; however, there are situations where it may need to be breached:
Risk of significant harm: If there is an imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or others.
Disclosures of crimes: Criminal acts posing serious risks to others may need to be reported.
Legal obligations: Including compliance with court orders, safeguarding investigations, or pre-trial therapy requirements.
I follow the BACP's Good Practice in Action guide to managing confidentiality. Whenever possible, I will involve you in any decision to break confidentiality unless doing so would increase the risk of harm.
3. Specific Safeguarding Policies
3.1 Pre-Trial Therapy Boundaries
If you are involved in legal proceedings, I will follow Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) guidelines:
Therapy will focus on emotional support and stabilisation, avoiding exploration of events that may form part of legal evidence.
Session records will be factual, objective, and non-interpretive, and will only be disclosed under legal obligation. You will be informed of any disclosure wherever possible.
I will explain the limitations of confidentiality and ensure you understand how pre-trial guidelines impact our work.
These boundaries are essential to maintain the integrity of legal processes. Please inform me if you are involved in a legal case so we can address these considerations.
3.2 Self-Harm and Suicide
In cases where self-harm or suicidal thoughts are disclosed:
We will work collaboratively to create a safety plan, identifying triggers, coping strategies, and sources of support.
If there is imminent risk, I may contact your GP, emergency contact, or crisis services to ensure your safety.
You will be signposted to crisis resources, such as:
Samaritans (116 123) in the UK.
Equivalent helplines in your region for international clients.
3.3 Domestic Abuse and Sexual Abuse
If you disclose domestic or sexual abuse:
Disclosures will be handled sensitively, using a trauma-informed approach.
If there is an immediate safety risk, I may need to notify relevant authorities or organisations.
I will signpost you to specialist services, including:
Refuge (0808 2000 247) for domestic abuse.
Rape Crisis (0808 802 9999) for sexual abuse.
International equivalents where applicable.
3.4 Psychosis and Mental Health Crises
If you experience symptoms of psychosis (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, or severe disorientation):
I will provide a safe, supportive space to discuss your experiences.
If there is an immediate safety risk, I may contact crisis services, your GP, or your emergency contact.
Therapy may be paused if psychosis significantly impairs your ability to engage safely.
These actions align with NICE guidelines for psychosis, focusing on collaborative crisis planning and appropriate referrals.
3.5 Changes in Mental Capacity
If you lose the ability to make informed decisions due to trauma, a medical condition, or crisis:
I will assess your mental capacity in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (or equivalent local laws for international clients).
Therapy may be paused if it is not in your best interests to continue.
I may involve your GP, emergency contact, or safeguarding professionals to protect your wellbeing.
3.6 Substance Use
If you disclose substance use:
We will discuss how it impacts your health, safety, and therapy goals in a nonjudgmental way.
If substance use creates a safeguarding concern (e.g., placing you or others at risk), I may involve appropriate authorities or services.
Sessions may be paused if substance use significantly affects your ability to engage in therapy.
For international clients, I will consider local legal implications and discuss these with you.
3.7 Disclosures of Crimes
If you disclose involvement in a crime:
Ongoing risks to others (e.g., abuse or violence): I am legally required to report disclosures involving serious harm.
Historical crimes: These will be handled sensitively, and safeguarding actions will only be taken if there is a current risk to others.
Legal obligations: Crimes disclosed during pre-trial therapy will be managed in line with CPS guidelines.
I will aim to discuss these actions with you and provide emotional support throughout the process. If there is a necessity to breach confidentiality, I would hope to do so with your full knowledge unless doing so would risk further harm or be against the law in certain cases (i.e. 'tipping off').
4. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
Children
Any disclosures of harm or abuse involving children will be reported to local authority safeguarding teams, in line with NSPCC and statutory UK guidelines, as well as WHO’s global priorities for child protection.
Vulnerable Adults
If a vulnerable adult is at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, I will contact adult safeguarding services or equivalent organisations.
For international clients, I will research local safeguarding procedures and signpost to appropriate regional services.
5. Cross-Border and International Safeguarding
When working with clients outside the UK:
I will consider local safeguarding laws and frameworks.
Where possible, I will assist clients in identifying culturally appropriate and accessible healthcare or safeguarding resources.
6. Crisis Support
If you experience a crisis between sessions, I recommend the following:
Samaritans (116 123) in the UK or equivalent crisis helplines in your region.
NHS 111 for non-emergencies or 999 for emergencies in the UK.
Local emergency or mental health services if you are based internationally.
7. Record-Keeping and Data Protection
I maintain secure and accurate records in line with GDPR and professional guidelines:
Records are confidential and will only be shared for safeguarding or legal reasons.
For international clients, I will comply with relevant data protection laws in your country.
8. Evidence-Based and Trauma-Informed Practice
Therapy is delivered in accordance with NICE guidelines and trauma-informed approaches, ensuring interventions are ethical, evidence-based, and client-centred.
7. Professional Boundaries and Complaints
I cannot act as an advocate for you in professional or legal matters, but I can offer emotional support as you explore your options. Complaints or grievances against other individuals should be directed to the appropriate authorities or portals.
8. Promoting Wellbeing
My services are one component of holistic self-care. I encourage clients to:
Maintain or develop positive social connections.
Engage in activities that promote physical and emotional health, such as healthy eating, exercise, and meaningful daily activities.
Seek appropriate accommodation, financial stability, and fulfilling work or hobbies that contribute to their overall wellbeing.
9. Additional Support for Vulnerable Clients
Clients who may experience additional vulnerabilities (e.g., due to disability, trauma, or life circumstances) are encouraged to communicate their specific needs so I can provide reasonable adjustments and additional support.
10. Collaborating to Stay Safe
Safeguarding is a collaborative effort. By maintaining open communication and adhering to this policy, we can create a therapeutic environment that promotes safety, trust, and personal growth.
I regularly review and revise this safeguarding policy through continuing professional development.
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please feel free to raise them at any time.