Safeguarding Policy
1. Purpose of this Document
The safety and wellbeing of everyone who attends counselling with Graceful Counselling forms an essential part of my professional and ethical responsibilities.
This document sets out my approach to safeguarding adults and provides information for clients about how concerns relating to abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-neglect, serious self-harm or risk to life may be managed within the counselling relationship.
As a member of BACP, I am committed to maintaining safeguarding policies and procedures and to working within the principles of the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026. The Framework emphasises collaborative working, ethical decision-making and being able to explain the reasons behind safeguarding decisions and actions.
This practice provides counselling services exclusively to adults aged 18 years and over. Whilst I do not work directly with children or young people, concerns relating to children, vulnerable adults or other third parties may arise during counselling and may require consideration under safeguarding legislation and professional guidance.
2. Therapeutic Approach
My counselling practice is grounded in Transactional Analysis (TA). Central to TA is the belief that people are inherently worthy of respect, capable of thinking and making decisions, and able to develop greater autonomy through increased awareness and understanding.
I seek to establish a therapeutic relationship based on openness, transparency, collaboration and mutual respect. Wherever possible, safeguarding concerns will be approached in the same way. This means that where concerns arise, I will normally seek to discuss them openly with the client, explore options together and involve the client in decisions about any action that may need to be taken.
Whilst I place significant value on autonomy and collaborative working, there are circumstances in which I have legal, ethical or professional responsibilities to take action to protect someone from serious harm. Wherever possible, I will explain these responsibilities openly and involve the client in the decision-making process.
3. Understanding Safeguarding
Safeguarding is concerned with protecting people from abuse, neglect, exploitation and avoidable harm, while promoting their wellbeing, dignity and human rights.
An adult may be considered at risk where they have care and support needs and are unable, or may be unable, to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Safeguarding concerns may arise in many different forms and may include physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, neglect, self-neglect, discriminatory abuse, modern slavery, exploitation, stalking, harassment, serious self-harm or concerns relating to suicide.
The presence of one or more indicators does not necessarily mean abuse is occurring. Each situation requires careful assessment, professional judgement and consideration of the individual’s circumstances.
4. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
Safeguarding concerns may arise through information disclosed during counselling, through observations made during therapeutic work, or through concerns expressed about another individual.
When a safeguarding concern arises, my first responsibility is to understand the nature of the concern and assess whether there is any immediate risk of harm. This may involve listening carefully to information provided by the client, exploring their understanding of the situation and considering any factors that may either increase or reduce risk.
Consistent with both Transactional Analysis practice and the principles contained within the BACP’s Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026, I will normally seek to discuss safeguarding concerns openly and transparently with the client wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
This discussion may include:
- the nature of the concern;
- the client’s understanding of the risks involved;
- available sources of support;
- options for reducing risk;
- possible referrals;
- limits of confidentiality;
- any action that may need to be considered.
The aim of these conversations is to support informed decision-making, preserve autonomy wherever possible and ensure that clients remain actively involved in decisions affecting them.
5. Consultation and Professional Support
Safeguarding decisions are not made lightly and can involve complex ethical considerations.
Where circumstances allow, safeguarding concerns may be discussed with my Supervisor and, where appropriate, relevant safeguarding professionals, including Adult Social Care, local authority safeguarding teams, NHS services, GPs, the police or specialist support services.
Such consultation supports ethical decision-making, effective risk assessment and professional judgement. It also helps ensure that safeguarding concerns are considered from a range of professional perspectives before significant action is taken.
Any consultation undertaken and the reasons for it will be appropriately documented.
6. Action to Reduce Risk
Where a safeguarding concern is identified, the response will depend upon the circumstances of the case, the level of identified risk and any legal or professional responsibilities that may apply.
In many situations, safeguarding may involve helping a client develop a practical safety plan, identifying supportive relationships, accessing community resources, or engaging with specialist organisations that are better placed to provide additional assistance.
There may be occasions where support from external agencies becomes necessary. This could involve signposting to domestic abuse services, mental health services, substance misuse services, housing support organisations or specialist helplines. In some situations, it may be appropriate to encourage contact with a GP or other healthcare professional.
Where concerns indicate that an adult may be experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or serious self-neglect, it may be necessary to seek advice from Adult Social Care or make a safeguarding referral. Where a client presents with significant suicidal intent, serious self-harm risk or circumstances that indicate a threat to life, crisis intervention services or emergency services may need to be involved.
Any action taken will be proportionate to the identified level of risk and will seek, wherever possible, to balance respect for client autonomy with the responsibility to protect people from harm.
7. Safeguarding Decision-Making Process
A flowchart of the safeguarding decision making process is contained at the end of this document (appendix 1).
8. Suicide, Self-Harm and Mental Health Crisis
As an adult counselling practice, concerns relating to suicide, self-harm and mental health crisis may occasionally arise within therapeutic work.
Where concerns are identified, I will seek to explore them sensitively and directly, recognising that conversations about suicide and self-harm can be difficult for many people. Consideration will be given to the immediacy of risk, the presence of suicidal thoughts, intentions or plans, access to means, protective factors and available support networks.
Where there appears to be a serious and immediate risk to life, action may be required to protect the client, including contacting emergency or crisis services. Wherever possible, such action will be discussed with the client beforehand. However, there may be occasions where immediate action is necessary in order to reduce the risk of serious harm.
9. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Confidentiality is fundamental to the counselling relationship and helps create the trust necessary for therapeutic work.
Information shared during counselling will normally remain confidential and will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation and professional guidance.
There are, however, circumstances in which confidentiality may need to be limited. These include situations where there is a serious risk of harm to the client or another person, where concerns arise regarding abuse or neglect, where safeguarding responsibilities require action, or where disclosure is required by law or by a court.
Wherever possible, I will seek to discuss the need for information sharing with the client before any disclosure is made and will explain the reasons for the decision. Any information shared will be limited to that which is relevant, necessary and proportionate to the safeguarding concern.
10. Concerns About Other People
Although this practice works exclusively with adults, safeguarding information concerning children, young people or other vulnerable adults may emerge during counselling.
Where there is reason to believe that another person may be experiencing serious harm, abuse or neglect, I may have a professional and legal responsibility to share information with appropriate agencies in order to reduce risk and protect those involved.
11. Record Keeping
When safeguarding concerns arise, an accurate record will be maintained of the information disclosed, the risks identified, any consultation undertaken, the reasoning behind decisions made and any action taken.
Records will be factual, relevant and stored securely in accordance with applicable data protection requirements. Appropriate record keeping supports accountability, continuity of care and ethical practice.
12. Professional Development and Training
Maintaining safeguarding competence is an ongoing professional responsibility.
I undertake continuing professional development to keep my safeguarding knowledge up to date and use sessions with my Supervisor to reflect on safeguarding concerns, ethical dilemmas and professional responsibilities.
Safeguarding practice will be reviewed regularly as part of my commitment to safe, ethical and effective counselling practice.
13. Client Access to Safeguarding Information and Raising Concerns
I believe safeguarding works best when people feel informed, respected and able to raise concerns openly.
Clients may request a copy of this Safeguarding Policy at any time. Information relating to safeguarding responsibilities, limits to confidentiality, data protection and complaints procedures is also provided through the Counselling Agreement and Privacy Notice.
If a client has concerns regarding safeguarding matters within this practice, they are encouraged to discuss them directly with me. Concerns will be listened to carefully and addressed promptly, fairly and respectfully.
Where a client remains dissatisfied after raising a concern directly with me, information about the complaints process and relevant external organisations, including BACP, will be provided.
14. Safeguarding Contact
For non-emergency safeguarding concerns, please contact me using the email address below.
grace@gracefulcounselling.co.uk. For immediate emergencies, contact 999.
15. Use of Digital Systems and Artificial Intelligence
Technology can support counselling services in a variety of ways, including communication, record keeping and administration. However, the use of digital systems also creates responsibilities relating to privacy, confidentiality and safeguarding.
Any digital platforms, online systems or Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools used within this practice will be subject to appropriate consideration of confidentiality, security and data protection requirements before use.
Personal client information will not be entered into AI systems without the client’s informed consent. Where digital or AI-assisted tools are used, clients will be provided with clear information regarding their purpose, potential benefits and any foreseeable risks.
Responsibility for all professional decisions, safeguarding assessments and clinical judgements remains with the Practitioner. Professional decision-making will not be delegated to AI systems or digital tools.
This approach reflects the requirements of the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026 regarding digital and AI tools, informed consent and practitioner accountability.
16. Useful Contacts
Emergency Services: 999
Police (Non-Emergency): 101
NHS 111: 111
Samaritans: 116 123
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team (York) : Raise a concern – SAB
17. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually and sooner where necessary following
- changes in safeguarding legislation;
- changes in professional guidance or ethical standards;
- significant safeguarding incidents;
- changes in working practices;
- developments in digital or AI technologies that may affect safeguarding, confidentiality or professional practice.
The purpose of review is to ensure that safeguarding arrangements remain effective, legally compliant and consistent with current professional standards, including the requirements of the Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026.
