Adult Safeguarding Policy
Definition of Safeguarding
Safeguarding adults at risk is defined in this policy as the process of protecting individuals from abuse, neglect and exploitation, preventing harm to their health, wellbeing or development, and promoting their right to live safely, with dignity, independence and with access to appropriate care and support.
Commitment to Safeguarding
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All adults at risk have the right to be protected from harm and abuse. I am committed to promoting the welfare of the adults who choose to access my counselling service. I recognise my professional and ethical responsibility to take appropriate action when there is a concern arising regarding the safety of an adult in my practice.
Equality and Diversity Statement
It is important to recognise the individual needs and contexts of every person. In making safeguarding decisions, I aim to take account of each person’s circumstances, communication needs, age, disability, culture and level of understanding.
I recognise that some young people may face barriers to disclosing abuse or accessing counselling and aim to respond sensitively to disclosures and to consider reasonable adjustments or specialist support where necessary. I will always do my best to uphold the individual choice of every client and treat each person with dignity they deserve. Please refer to my equality and diversity statement for further information
Purpose of this policy
This policy aims to explain how a safeguarding concern might be recognised, responded to and recorded. It will also explain when information may be shared with others.
This policy includes information on the limits of confidentiality in this private practice setting and how safeguarding responsibilities are managed in this setting.
Who this Policy Applies to
This policy applies to adults at risk over the age of 18 accessing this counselling practice and may also include other adults or young people associated with the client.
Where appropriate, carers or health care professionals.
All counselling services offered by this practice including in person and online counselling.
Legal and Ethical Framework
This practice adheres to all current relevant legislation under English law and operates within the BACP ethical framework. This includes the following:
Legislation
- Care Act 2014
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Equality Act 2010
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
- Caring and support Statutory Guidance Chapter 14: Safeguarding
Ethical Framework
In my practice I adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework which offers a code of professional conduct and ethics. This underpins all counselling work with young people in this practice and informs my safeguarding responsibilities. Key principles include:
- Putting clients first by prioritising their safety and wellbeing
- Working to professional standards, including following safeguarding policies and legal duties.
- Being trustworthy and responsible, especially in matters of confidentiality and information sharing.
- Respecting the rights and dignity of all clients, including the right to protection from harm.
- Maintaining integrity, including acting on concerns in a timely and transparent way.
Counsellors are expected to work within these principles and to seek supervision or consultation where ethical dilemmas arise, especially around safeguarding or information sharing. Further information on the BACP ethical framework can be found at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/media/26718/bacp-ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions-2026.pdf
Recognising Abuse and signs of Harm
Safeguarding means keeping adults at risk safe from harm.
Under English law, abuse and harm are categorised as:
1. Physical abuse — hitting, slapping, pushing, assault, inappropriate restraint or misuse of medication.
2. Domestic abuse — physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse within a relationship covered by the relevant definition, including coercive or controlling behaviour.
3. Sexual abuse — rape, sexual assault, harassment, unwanted touching, sexual exploitation, or being pressured into sexual activity without freely given consent.
4. Psychological or emotional abuse — threats, intimidation, humiliation, coercion, verbal abuse, isolation, harassment or controlling behaviour.
5. Financial or material abuse — theft, fraud, scams, financial exploitation, misuse of property or coercion over money, benefits or inheritance.
6. Modern slavery — human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, slavery or exploitation through coercion or deception.
7. Discriminatory abuse — harassment, slurs or unfair treatment related to characteristics such as disability, age, race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion.
8. Organisational or institutional abuse — abuse, neglect or poor care practices within an organisation or care setting, including harmful practices arising from its systems or culture.
9. Neglect and acts of omission — failing to provide necessary care, food, warmth, medication, medical attention or access to appropriate support.
10. Self-neglect — behaviour that puts a person's health, hygiene or living conditions at risk, including severe neglect of personal care or hoarding.
This list is illustrative and not exhaustive, as abuse and harm can take several forms at once.
Alongside these areas are other forms of harm including but not limited to:
- Online abuse
- Radicalisation
- Self-harm and suicide risk
Safeguarding concerns may arise through but are not limited to:
- Direct Disclosure
- Observed behaviour
- Information from outside sources (for example: family members/friends/neighbours health care professionals)
- Risk assessments undertaken as part of counselling
Confidentiality and Limits, Consent
Limits of Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling process however; it can never be absolute. In some instances, information may be shared without consent where:
- There is a significant risk of harm to the client either from themselves or from another.
- Another person is at risk of serious harm
- Where a disclosure is required by law. This includes but is not limited to acts of terrorism, FGM (female genital mutilation) or drug trafficking.
Information Sharing
Where there is a need to raise a safeguarding concern, information may be shared with relevant professionals and agencies in service of the wellbeing of the client.
Information will only be shared when:
- Necessary to protect the client.
- Necessary to protect another person (adult or child).
- Required by law.
- Required as part of a safeguarding referral.
Information sharing will follow the principle of sharing only what is necessary, relevant and proportionate in line with GDPR and Data Protection legislation.
Safeguarding records will:
- Be factual and objective.
- Record dates and times.
- Include actions taken.
- Include an explanation for decisions taken.
- Be stored securely in accordance with UK GDPR and data protection legislation.
- Safeguarding records will be retained in accordance with legal and professional responsibilities.
Please refer to the practice privacy statement for more information on storage and retention of client information.
Action and Reporting Procedures
If the need arises to raise a safeguarding concern, I will respond in the following way:
- I will take the concern seriously.
- I will listen carefully and remain calm.
- Establish only the information needed to understand the immediate concern.
- I will not promise secrecy or ask leading questions.
- If appropriate and safe to do so I will explain what action may need to be taken. This may not always be possible in all circumstances.
- I will make an accurate written record.
- I will seek advice and guidance through professional supervision or external agencies where appropriate.
- I will contact relevant safeguarding agencies if required.
- I will record the outcome and any follow up required.
Safeguarding Contacts
Where there is the need to raise a safeguarding concern, a referral may be made. The type of referral will depend on the nature of the concern.
- Immediate Danger: 999
- Adult Social care non-emergency concerns: Southampton City Council: 023 8083 3003 (Out of Hours 023 8023 3344)
- Advice regarding non-emergency concerns: Ann Craft Trust: 0115 9515400, Hourglass: 0808 8088141, Southampton Adult Social Care professional safeguarding advice: 02380 834307
If there is an immediate, significant risk to the life or safety of the client, emergency services will be contacted on 999.
Practice Governance
- I hold an up-to-date enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check
- I will maintain accurate, timely, relevant clinical notes which reflect factual up to date information.
- I commit to continuing professional development including safeguarding training and updates to legislation and guidance.
- This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier if updates to current legislation and guidance are made.
Support Contacts
· NHS Urgent Mental Health Triage: Call 111 and select the mental health option or use NHS 111 Online for 24/7 advice.
· Samaritans: 116 123 24/7.
· Shout Crisis Text Line: Text HANTS or SHOUT to 85258 24/7 text support.
· SANEline: Call 0300 304 7000 for specialist out-of-hours mental health support.
Mind Infoline: Call 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm) or email info@mind.org
This policy will be reviewed in response to relevant changes in legislation, statutory guidance and professional standards and is reviewed on an annual basis in April.