Calm Breathing Therapies is committed to protecting adults and young people aged 16–17 from abuse, neglect and harm. I work in line with applicable safeguarding law and statutory guidance in the part of the UK where the client is located.
1. Scope and responsibility
This policy applies to all clinical work. As the practitioner, I am responsible for recognising concerns, maintaining safeguarding competence, consulting appropriately and taking proportionate action. Clinical supervision supports, but does not replace, this responsibility.
2. Recognising concerns
Safeguarding concerns may involve physical, emotional or psychological, sexual, financial, discriminatory or organisational abuse; domestic abuse; exploitation; neglect or self-neglect. Information may come from the client, observation, another person or a pattern emerging in therapy.
3. Adults at risk
Where an adult may be experiencing abuse or neglect, I will normally discuss the concern with them and seek consent before sharing information. Information may be shared without consent when there is an immediate or serious risk, a risk to another person, coercion affecting the person’s choice, or another lawful duty to act. The relevant local safeguarding service or police may be contacted.
4. Young people aged 16–17
People aged 16–17 are children for safeguarding purposes. Their voice, understanding and confidentiality remain important, while their welfare is the primary consideration. Parents or carers will be involved where appropriate unless doing so could increase risk. Serious concerns may be referred to the relevant children’s service or police, with or without consent when required.
5. Remote-working procedure
The client’s current location is confirmed when needed so the correct emergency or safeguarding service can be contacted. Concerns, decisions, advice and actions are recorded securely. I consult my clinical supervisor or another appropriate safeguarding professional where this can be done without delaying urgent action.
6. Emergencies
If someone cannot keep themselves or another person safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health advice, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. Calm Breathing Therapies cannot provide emergency monitoring between sessions.
Questions about this document?
Email calmbreathingtherapies1@gmail.com or call 07957 353 110.