Safeguarding Policy
1. Introduction
Hatch Counselling Services is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all clients, including children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The service aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for all therapeutic work. Every child has the right to live free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This policy outlines the principles, responsibilities, and procedures followed to uphold those rights and to meet statutory safeguarding obligations. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility and is most effective when professionals work in partnership with relevant organisations, statutory agencies, and parents or carers.
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2. Legal and Regulatory Framework
This policy is informed by key UK legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, the Care Act 2014, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. It is also implemented alongside the safeguarding policies of partner organisations or schools where therapy is delivered.
3. Definition of Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and to protect them from harm. It involves protecting children from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to their health or development, ensuring they grow up in safe and effective care, and taking action to enable them to achieve the best possible outcomes. For the purpose of this policy, a child is defined as anyone under the age of eighteen.
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4. Responsibilities
As a professional therapist, I have a duty of care to recognise and respond appropriately to any signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. I am responsible for taking timely and effective action in line with safeguarding procedures, maintaining accurate and factual records, and ensuring that information is shared only with those who need to know. I undertake regular safeguarding training and clinical supervision to ensure that my knowledge and practice remain current and in line with best practice. When working within another organisation, such as a school, all safeguarding concerns will be reported to that setting’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and, where necessary, to the Local Authority Designated Officer or other relevant authority.
5. Types of Abuse and Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, and domestic abuse. For adults, abuse may also include financial or material harm. Further safeguarding concerns may involve child sexual or criminal exploitation, online abuse and cyberbullying, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, radicalisation and extremism, gang involvement, county lines, modern slavery and trafficking, harmful sexual behaviour, honour-based abuse, and self-harm or suicidal behaviour. Children with disabilities, special educational needs, or those who identify as or are perceived to be LGBTQIA+ may face increased vulnerability and barriers to communication. A full explanation of the different types of abuse can be found on the NSPCC website at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse.
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6. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
If a child, young person, or adult discloses abuse, or if a safeguarding concern arises, I will listen carefully and calmly without interruption and without asking leading questions. I will reassure the individual that their disclosure is being taken seriously and will explain, in a way that is appropriate to their age and understanding, what will happen next. A detailed, factual record will be made as soon as possible, including the date, time, place, those present, and the exact words used where possible. The concern will then be reported immediately to the relevant Designated Safeguarding Lead or Local Safeguarding Partnership. In cases where there is an immediate risk of harm, emergency services will be contacted by calling 999. If the concern involves another professional, including a therapist or staff member, the matter will be referred without delay to the Local Authority Designated Officer.
7. Allegations against the Therapist
If an allegation is made against me, the session will end immediately and the child will be supported by another adult. The allegation will be reported at once to the relevant Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Local Authority Designated Officer. No further unsupervised sessions will take place until the matter has been investigated and resolved. All details of the allegation will be recorded accurately and stored securely.
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8. Recording and Information Sharing
All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and referrals will be recorded in a factual and objective manner and stored securely. Records will be shared only with individuals or agencies that have a legitimate need to know, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR. Information will be shared with parents or carers only if it is appropriate and does not place the child at further risk of harm. All records are maintained in accordance with the Hatch Counselling Services Data Protection Policy.
9. Safeguarding for Online Therapy
When therapy is delivered online, sessions are conducted using secure and encrypted platforms. The identity of clients is verified before sessions begin. Clear procedures are in place to assess and manage risks remotely, and appropriate safeguarding boundaries and protocols are always maintained.
10. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is an essential part of the therapeutic process; however, the duty to safeguard takes precedence over confidentiality when there is a risk of significant harm, when a child or vulnerable adult is in danger, or when a serious crime has been committed. Information will be shared responsibly and lawfully, following the seven golden rules of information sharing outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023).
12. Prevent Duty
In line with the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Hatch Counselling Services has due regard for the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism or extremist ideologies. Any concerns relating to radicalisation or extremism will be reported to the appropriate safeguarding authorities.
13. Female Genital Mutilation
Female Genital Mutilation is illegal in the United Kingdom under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003. There is a mandatory duty to report any known cases involving girls under the age of eighteen to the police. Possible indicators may include children from communities where FGM is practised, extended travel abroad, references to special procedures or ceremonies, or signs of physical discomfort or difficulty walking or sitting.
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14. Whistleblowing
If I become aware of inappropriate behaviour by another professional or adult working with children or vulnerable people, I will report the concern to the appropriate Designated Safeguarding Lead or, where necessary, directly to the Local Safeguarding Partnership or Local Authority Designated Officer.
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15. Contact Information for Reporting Concerns
For advice or to report a concern, the following services can be contacted: The NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, Childline on 0800 1111, and the Police on 999 in cases of immediate danger. Contact details for the local authority safeguarding team or Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) should be added here once confirmed.
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16. Policy Review
This policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in legislation and best practice.
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For any concerns or further information, please contact me directly through my website or email.
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Date of Last Review: 26th February 2025