Safeguarding Policy
(Adults 18+)

Safeguarding means taking reasonable and appropriate steps to promote people's safety and wellbeing and to protect them from abuse, neglect, exploitation and serious harm.

Safeguarding concerns can take many forms. They may include:

• Abuse or neglect

• Domestic abuse or coercive control

• Sexual, physical, emotional or psychological abuse

• Financial or material exploitation

• Exploitation or discrimination

• Significant self-neglect

• Serious concerns about someone's safety

• Serious risk of harm to another person

A safeguarding concern does not automatically mean that information will be shared with an external organisation.

Each situation will be considered individually, taking into account the circumstances, the seriousness and immediacy of any risk, your wishes and autonomy, and my professional, legal and ethical responsibilities.

What you tell me in therapy will normally remain confidential.

There are, however, limits to confidentiality. I may need to share information without your consent where this is necessary and legally or ethically justified. This may include circumstances where:

• There is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you

• There is a serious and immediate risk of harm to another person

• Safeguarding action is necessary to protect someone from serious harm

• I am required or authorised to disclose information by law

• Disclosure is otherwise legally or ethically justified

Where it is safe and appropriate to do so, I will discuss the situation with you before sharing information and explain what needs to be shared and why.

If information does need to be shared, I will aim to share only the information that is relevant and necessary for the purpose.

These limits to confidentiality will also be explained as part of your Therapy Agreement.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) recognises that, in exceptional circumstances, protecting clients or others from serious harm may require confidentiality to be overridden.

Talking about suicidal thoughts, self-harm or significant emotional distress does not automatically mean that confidentiality will be broken.

If concerns about your safety arise, I will consider the circumstances with you, including the nature and immediacy of the risk, whether there is current intent or a plan, your ability to keep yourself safe, available support and any other relevant factors.

Where appropriate, I will discuss concerns with my professional supervisor and consider whether additional professional or emergency support is needed.

If there is a serious risk of harm, particularly where there is an immediate or escalating risk, it may be necessary to take action to protect you or another person. This could include contacting an appropriate emergency or other relevant service.

Where possible and appropriate, I will discuss this with you first.

Chloe Reid Therapy provides therapy remotely by telephone and online, as well as face-to-face.

Because remote therapy takes place away from the therapy room, there are some additional considerations around safety and communication.

At the beginning of therapy, I will ask for appropriate contact and emergency information. This may include your telephone number, address or usual location, emergency contact details and, where appropriate, relevant GP or healthcare information.

For remote sessions, you will be encouraged to attend from a private and safe environment where possible.

For online or telephone sessions, I may need to confirm your current location at the beginning of a session, or during a session if a significant safeguarding or emergency concern arises. This is so that, if necessary, I can consider what appropriate support may be available in your location.

If a remote session unexpectedly disconnects during a situation involving significant risk, I may use the agreed contact method to try to re-establish contact and, where necessary, take further appropriate action based on the information available.

Remote therapy is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are experiencing an emergency or believe that you or someone else is in immediate danger, you should contact the appropriate emergency service rather than relying on the therapy session or attempting to contact me.

For face-to-face sessions, I will take reasonable steps to maintain a safe and appropriate therapeutic environment.

Safeguarding concerns may arise during or in connection with face-to-face therapy as well as during remote sessions. If a significant concern arises, I may need to pause or end a session, seek professional advice or take appropriate action to protect you or another person.

Where an immediate emergency arises during a face-to-face session, I may contact the appropriate emergency service where necessary.

The same principles of confidentiality, autonomy, proportionality and information sharing described in this policy apply to face-to-face therapy.

Safeguarding does not mean assuming that an adult cannot make decisions for themselves.

I will respect your autonomy, dignity, wishes and right to make your own decisions wherever possible.

If there are concerns about your ability to make a particular decision, this will be considered in relation to that specific decision and the circumstances at the time. I will not make assumptions based solely on age, disability, diagnosis or mental health difficulties.

Where appropriate, I will discuss concerns in supervision and seek professional advice.

As part of safe and ethical practice, I receive professional supervision.

Safeguarding concerns may be discussed with my supervisor to help me consider the situation, my responsibilities and the most appropriate course of action.

Where possible, information discussed in supervision will be anonymised or minimised so that you are not identifiable.

My supervisor is expected to maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with relevant professional and data protection requirements.

BACP's Ethical Framework emphasises the use of supervision, professional competence, accurate record keeping and protection of client confidentiality. 

If a significant safeguarding concern arises, I may make a factual and proportionate record of the concern, the action taken and any professional advice sought.

Safeguarding information will be stored securely in accordance with my Privacy Notice and applicable data protection requirements.

If information needs to be shared, I will consider:

• What information needs to be shared

• Why it needs to be shared

• Who needs to receive it

• Whether you have consented

• Whether there is another legal or ethical basis for sharing

• What is the minimum information necessary

Where there is uncertainty about whether information should be shared, I will seek professional supervision and, where necessary, appropriate professional or legal advice.

Chloe Reid Therapy currently provides therapy to adults aged 18 and over only.

I do not currently offer therapy to anyone under the age of 18.

Before offering therapy to children or young people, I will ensure that appropriate additional training, safeguarding arrangements, insurance, supervision and other relevant procedures are in place.

If you have a concern about your safety or about something that has happened in the course of therapy, I would encourage you to raise this with me where you feel able to do so.

You can also use the Complaints & Feedback page for information about raising a formal complaint.

If a concern relates to my professional practice, I may seek advice from my supervisor, professional body, insurer or another appropriate professional or statutory organisation.