Introduction and purpose
This policy outlines the commitment of Sarah Dyson to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all young people and vulnerable adults receiving therapeutic counselling services. It aims to provide clear guidance on responsibilities, procedures, and legal obligations to ensure a safe and supportive environment, in line with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Ethical Framework and relevant UK legislation.
Legal and ethical frameworks
This policy adheres to the following key legislation and guidance:
- BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2018): Guides ethical practice, values, principles, and personal moral qualities, including integrity, honesty, and probity
- The Children Act (1996 & 2004): Protects the needs and wishes of the child and highlights the need for parents to have responsibility. Places a duty of care on local authorities
- Children and Social Work Act (2017): Upholds local arrangements for safeguarding
- Fraser Guidelines, Gillick case (1986) and Axon case (2006): Case law regarding the rights of young people to access medical care without permission from parents (based on their understanding).
- The Human Rights Act 1998: Protects individuals from abuse of their fundamental rights and freedoms.
- The Care Act 2014: Sets out the statutory requirement for local authorities, health, police and other agencies to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.
- The Mental Capacity Act 2005: Principles of presumption of capacity, supporting individuals to make their own decisions, and acting in their best interests.
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government): Provides inter-agency guidance on safeguarding.
- Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR: Governs the handling of personal data.
Definitions
- Safeguarding: Protecting children from harm, preventing harm to children's health or development, and ensuring that children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
- Child/young Person: For the purpose of this policy, refers to individuals aged 11-18. Even if a child has reached 16 years of age, they are still legally children and should be given the same protection and entitlements.
- Abuse: Includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Roles and responsibilities
Sarah Dyson (the counsellor) is committed to:
· Undertaking suitable safeguarding training.
· Working within recognised legal, professional, and ethical frameworks.
· Responding to and managing issues of confidentiality and data protection.
· Conducting initial, emerging, and ongoing risk assessments and responding to safeguarding and child protection issues.
· Working within limits of competence and using referral and signposting processes appropriately.
· Engaging with inter-agency work, including schools, when appropriate.
· Maintaining high standards of honesty and probity.
Confidentiality and information sharing
- Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapeutic work. However, when there is a safeguarding concern the counsellor may be obliged to break confidentiality if it is in the best interests of the client.
- Young people will be informed at the outset of counselling about the limits of confidentiality, specifically that information may be shared if there is a risk of serious harm to themselves or others.
- As young people in therapy ought to be included in decision-making processes that affect them, this is particularly pertinent when counsellors are considering sharing information with other professionals.
- Information will only be shared on a ‘need-to-know’ basis with appropriate agencies (eg. Children's social care, police) to protect the young person.
- Records of all safeguarding concerns, actions taken, and outcomes will be maintained securely.
These records should include the date and time of the incident, nature of harm, relevant background information, actions taken, and outcome of any investigation.
Procedures for responding to concerns
Identifying concerns:
The counsellor will be vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect, which may include:
- Direct disclosure by the young person.
- Observed physical injuries or changes in behaviour.
- Concerns raised by parents/carers or other professionals.
- Any information suggesting the young person is at risk of harm.
Responding to disclosure:
If a young person discloses abuse the counsellor will:
- Listen carefully and calmly, without judgment.
- Reassure the young person that they are being listened to and believed.
- Refer back to and explain contracted limits of confidentiality and the need to share information to keep them safe.
- Contact clinical supervisor as soon as possible, preferably while the young person is in the room.
- Make all reasonable attempts to stop the young person leaving the room if concerned they are in immediate danger.
- Record the disclosure accurately and factually, using the young person's own words where possible.
It is not the counsellor’s role to promise absolute confidentiality, ask leading questions or investigate the abuse.
Reporting concerns:
- All safeguarding concerns will be reported immediately to the local authority safeguarding team.
- In cases of immediate danger, the police will be contacted.
- The BACP Ethical Framework provides guidance on legal obligations to report safeguarding concerns, including the need to balance patient confidentiality with the duty to protect vulnerable individuals from harm.
- If a child or young person in therapy indicates that they may be involved in a possible court case in the future, then this must be explored immediately with the police and/or CPS. The young person should be made aware that case notes may be demanded by the court.
Risk assessment
- Ongoing risk assessments will be conducted to identify and manage any potential risks to the young person's safety and well-being.
- This includes assessing the severity of any disclosed harm, the young person's vulnerability, and the capacity of parents/carers to protect them.
Supervision and training
- The counsellor will engage in regular, appropriate clinical supervision to discuss cases, reflect on practice, and ensure adherence to safeguarding procedures.
- Ongoing professional development and safeguarding training will be undertaken to keep knowledge and skills up to date.
Working with parents/carers
- Where appropriate and with the young person's consent (considering their Gillick competence), parents/carers will be involved in safeguarding discussions.
- The counsellor will work to build a collaborative relationship with parents/carers, while always prioritising the young person's best interests.
Record keeping
- Accurate records will be maintained for all counselling sessions, including any safeguarding concerns, actions taken, and communications with other agencies.
- Records will be stored securely and confidentially, in accordance with data protection regulations.
Review of policy
This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes in legislation, BACP guidance, or best practice.
Contact information for safeguarding concerns:
- Kingston upon Thames local authority single point of access: 020 8547 5008 (8am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm on Friday. Out of hours, phone 020 8770 5000.) Or use the Single Point of Access online referral form.
- Police (emergency): 999
- Police (non-emergency): 101
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000 for confidential advice on child protection issues
- BACP: or email ethics@bacp.co.uk
Sarah Dyson counselling
26 October 2025