Safeguarding Policy

Why I have this policy…

Safeguarding means protecting people's health, safety, wellbeing and human rights, and acting when someone may be at risk of harm. This policy explains how I do that, what it means for the confidentiality of our work, and who you can contact if you have a concern.

It is written in line with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026, which asks me to have the safeguarding policies and procedures needed to protect adults at risk, children and young people, and to make sure the people I work with can see them and know who to contact with concerns.

Who this covers…

This policy applies to everyone I work with as a therapist. It covers:

    • Adults at risk (adults who may be unable to protect themselves from harm because of care and support needs, or because of abuse, coercion or exploitation).

    • Children and young people under 18.

    • Anyone else who may be at risk because of something shared in our work, such as a child or vulnerable adult you tell me about.

My commitments

    • I am the person responsible for safeguarding in my practice. You can contact me at:
      in-your-corner@outlook.com.

    • I take safeguarding concerns to regular clinical supervision.

    • I keep up to date with safeguarding laws and guidance that apply in the UK.

    • I record my reasoning and decisions when a safeguarding concern arises, and I review what happened afterwards.

    • I do not treat safeguarding as a reason to pass concerns on without thought. I try to act in proportion, with respect, and with you involved.

What counts as a safeguarding concern

    • I become concerned something suggests that a child or an adult at risk is experiencing, or is at risk of, harm. 

    • I become concerned about risk to your own life or safety, including suicide risk, and I will always talk about this with you.

Safeguarding & Confidentiality

Our work is confidential, but confidentiality has limits. Where safeguarding is involved:

    • I will try to be open with you. Where it is safe and possible, I will tell you before I share anything, explain why, and listen to what you think.

    • I will always seek your consent first where it is appropriate to do so.

    • There are situations where I may share information without your consent, for example where a child or adult at risk may be in serious danger, where there is a risk to life, where the law requires it (such as certain terrorism offences or a court order), or where you may lack the capacity to decide at that moment.

    • In rare cases I may not tell you in advance, if doing so would put someone at greater risk.

I will not take decisions about breaking confidentiality lightly, and I will be able to explain my reasons afterwards.

Working online

If our sessions are online, I ask for your location at the start of our work so that I can direct emergency services to you. I also ask for an emergency contact. If I am worried about you during a session and cannot continue it safely, or if you become uncontactable in a crisis, I may contact your emergency contact or the emergency services.