Date updated: 01/11/26

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of clients and other individuals are considered and promoted throughout my counselling practice.

I recognise my responsibility to take appropriate action if I become aware of, or have concerns about, abuse, neglect, exploitation or the risk of harm to a child or adult.

I am committed to providing a safe, respectful and confidential counselling environment in which clients feel able to discuss their experiences without fear of judgement. However, confidentiality cannot always be maintained where there are serious safeguarding concerns.

This policy sets out how I will recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns.

Who this policy applies to

This policy applies to all clients accessing my counselling services, whether face-to-face or online.

It also applies where concerns arise about:

• Children and young people under the age of 18.
• Adults who may be experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation.
• Individuals who may be at risk of harm from themselves or others.
• Other people who may be affected by information disclosed during counselling sessions.

Although my practice primarily works with adults, I recognise that safeguarding concerns may arise in relation to children, family members or other individuals connected to my clients.

Relevant legislation and guidance

My safeguarding practice is informed by the relevant legislation and guidance applicable in England:

I will also have regard to the relevant guidance and ethical framework of my professional membership body.

Recognising safeguarding concerns

Abuse and neglect can take many forms. I recognise that safeguarding concerns may include:

• Physical abuse: physical harm, assault or inappropriate physical treatment.
• Emotional or psychological abuse: intimidation, threats, coercion, humiliation or controlling behaviour.
• Sexual abuse: sexual assault, exploitation, inappropriate sexual contact or activity without consent.
• Financial abuse: theft, fraud, exploitation or controlling someone’s access to money.
• Domestic abuse: abuse or controlling behaviour within intimate or family relationships.
• Neglect: failure to provide appropriate care, support or basic needs.
• Discriminatory abuse: harassment or mistreatment based on characteristics such as disability, age, race or religion.
• Organisational abuse: neglect or poor practice within an organisation or care setting.
• Exploitation: including criminal exploitation, sexual exploitation, trafficking and modern slavery.
• Self-neglect: where an individual is unable or unwilling to attend to their own basic care and safety.

I understand that abuse may be perpetrated by family members, partners, carers, professionals or people outside an individual’s immediate circle.

Responding to safeguarding concerns

If a client discloses abuse or I become concerned about the safety or wellbeing of an individual, I will:

1. Listen carefully and respond calmly, sensitively and without judgement.
2. Take the concern seriously and allow the person to explain what has happened in their own words.
3. Avoid asking leading questions or attempting to investigate the allegation myself.
4. Establish whether there is any immediate danger or risk of serious harm.
5. Explain the limits of confidentiality and discuss the need to share information where it is necessary.
6. Consider the individual’s wishes, circumstances, capacity and the level of risk.
7. Seek appropriate advice and guidance from relevant safeguarding services or my professional supervisor where it is appropriate.
8. Make a referral to the relevant authority where safeguarding action is required.
9. Record the concern, the decisions made and any action taken.

Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, I will contact the emergency services by calling 999.

Safeguarding children and young people

The welfare and safety of children is a priority.

If a client discloses information that gives me reason to believe a child is experiencing, or may be at risk of, abuse or neglect, I will consider the information carefully and take appropriate safeguarding action.

This may involve contacting the relevant local authority Children’s Social Care team or the police.

I understand that:

• A child does not need to be my client for me to have safeguarding responsibilities towards them.
• Concerns should be shared promptly and should not be ignored because the child has not personally disclosed abuse.
• I do not need to prove that abuse has taken place before raising a safeguarding concern.
• Parental consent is not always required before sharing information where doing so is necessary to protect a child.
• I will not inform a parent or carer of a referral if doing so could increase the risk to the child or compromise their safety.

I will follow the relevant local safeguarding procedures and seek advice where necessary.

Safeguarding adults

I recognise that adults may experience abuse, neglect or exploitation and may need additional support to protect themselves.

Under the Care Act 2014, the local authority has a duty to make safeguarding enquiries where there is reasonable cause to suspect that an adult:

• Has needs for care and support, whether or not these needs are currently being met.
• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.
• As a result of those care and support needs, is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

Where concerns arise, I will consider the individual’s wishes and feelings, their ability to make decisions and the level of risk involved.

Wherever possible, I will discuss concerns and proposed actions with the individual and seek their agreement before making a referral.

However, there may be circumstances where information needs to be shared without consent, for example:

• Where there is a serious or immediate risk of harm.
• Where other people, including children, may be at risk.
• Where a serious crime may have been committed.
• Where the individual lacks capacity to make the relevant decision and sharing is necessary and lawful.
• Where there is another lawful basis for sharing information in the public interest.

Any decision to share information without consent will be carefully considered and recorded.

Confidentiality and information sharing

Confidentiality is an important part of the counselling relationship. Clients will be informed of the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of counselling.

Information will normally only be shared with the client’s consent. However, where safeguarding concerns arise, I may need to share relevant information with appropriate agencies without consent where there is a lawful basis to do so.

I will:

• Share only information that is relevant and necessary.
• Share information with appropriate safeguarding professionals or authorities.
• Explain to the client, wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so, why information needs to be shared.
• Keep a clear record of what information has been shared, with whom and why.
• Store safeguarding records securely and in accordance with data protection requirements.

I understand that data protection legislation does not prevent the sharing of information when this is necessary and lawful to protect someone from harm.

Recording safeguarding concerns

Any safeguarding concern, disclosure or action taken will be recorded as soon as reasonably possible.

Records will include:

• The date and time of the concern or disclosure.
• The information disclosed, using the individual’s own words wherever possible.
• Any relevant observations.
• An assessment of the concerns and potential risks.
• Advice sought and from whom.
• Decisions made and the reasons for those decisions.
• Any referrals or information shared, including dates, times and the agencies contacted.
• Any follow-up action required.

Records will be factual, clear, objective and stored securely, separately from general counselling notes where appropriate.

Professional supervision and support

I recognise the importance of professional supervision in maintaining safe and ethical practice.

Safeguarding concerns will be discussed in supervision wherever appropriate, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained as far as possible.

Where a safeguarding concern requires urgent action, I will not delay making a referral while waiting for supervision.

I will ensure that I remain familiar with relevant safeguarding procedures and seek additional advice or training where necessary.

Review of this policy

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes to legislation, professional guidance or my working arrangements.

The latest version will be available on my website.

If you are interested in finding out if we can work together, please contact me:

Header photo by Sean Paul Kinnear on Unsplash