Serenique Counselling

Safeguarding Policy

Statement of Commitment

At Serenique Counselling, I am fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and wellbeing of all clients, particularly children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

I aim to ensure that every person I work with feels safe, respected, and protected. My practice is guided by relevant UK safeguarding legislation, the Ethical Framework of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and UK GDPR/Data Protection requirements.

Safeguarding is central to safe, ethical therapeutic practice and underpins all services I provide.

Legal and Ethical Framework

This policy is informed by current UK legislation and guidance, including:

  • Children Act 1989 and 2004
  • Care Act 2014
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (statutory guidance)
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
  • BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions

Purpose and Scope of this Policy

The purposes of this policy are:

  • To protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults who receive therapy at Serenique Counselling from harm. This includes the children of adults who use my services within the United Kingdom.
  • To provide children, young people, vulnerable adults, and their families with clear principles that guide my safeguarding and child protection approach.
  • To set out how safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded, and responded to.
  • To ensure safe practice across all services delivered online or via telephone.

This policy applies to all therapeutic services I provide.

Definitions

Child

Anyone under the age of 18, regardless of gender, background, or circumstances.

Adult at Risk / Vulnerable Adult

A person aged 18 or over who may:

  • Have a mental or physical disability
  • Be elderly or frail
  • Be experiencing trauma or mental health challenges
  • Be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to their situation or circumstances

My Responsibilities

As a qualified and insured counsellor, I:

  • Hold an enhanced DBS check
  • Complete regular safeguarding training for both children and adults
  • Adhere to the BACP Ethical Framework
  • Receive regular clinical supervision to ensure safe and ethical practice
  • Maintain accurate, confidential records in line with GDPR
  • Take all reasonable steps to protect clients from harm
  • Follow local safeguarding procedures and statutory guidance

I am the designated Safeguarding Lead for my practice.

Types of Abuse

I am aware of and vigilant to the many forms of abuse and neglect, including:

  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse or exploitation
  • Emotional or psychological abuse
  • Neglect or self-neglect
  • Domestic violence and coercive control
  • Financial or material abuse
  • Online or digital abuse
  • Discriminatory abuse
  • Organisational or institutional abuse
  • Modern slavery or exploitation

Recognising and Responding to Concerns

If I become concerned that a child, young person, or vulnerable adult may be:

  • At risk of significant harm
  • Experiencing abuse or neglect
  • A danger to themselves or others

I will:

  • Listen carefully, remain calm, and take concerns seriously.
  • Record clear, factual, and contemporaneous information.
  • Consult with my clinical supervisor as soon as possible where appropriate.
  • Seek consent to share information where safe and appropriate to do so.
  • Contact relevant safeguarding authorities (e.g., Children’s Social Care or Adult Safeguarding) where necessary.
  • Share only relevant information on a strict need-to-know basis.

Immediate Risk

If there is immediate danger or urgent risk (e.g., serious harm, suicide risk, current abuse, or unsafe circumstances), I will contact Emergency Services (999) or the appropriate safeguarding authority without delay before consultation.

Confidentiality and Safeguarding

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of therapy. However, there are circumstances where I may need to break confidentiality in order to protect safety or comply with the law.

This may occur if:

  • A child or vulnerable adult is at risk
  • There is a risk of serious harm to you or others
  • There is disclosure of serious criminal or illegal activity (e.g., terrorism, money laundering, drug trafficking)
  • A court of law requires disclosure

Where possible, I will inform clients before sharing information unless doing so would increase risk or is legally prohibited.

Further details are available in the Privacy and Confidentiality section of this website.

Online and Telephone Therapy Safeguarding

As I provide remote therapy, additional safeguards are in place to ensure client safety.

These include:

  • Confirming the client’s current location at the start of sessions where appropriate
  • Holding emergency contact details where necessary
  • Discussing crisis or safety planning
  • Having procedures to contact emergency services if a serious risk arises during a session

Record Keeping and Data Protection

I follow local safeguarding procedures. Where appropriate, I may contact:

  • Local Authority Children’s Services
  • Adult Safeguarding Team/Board
  • Emergency Services (999)

Where safe to do so, I will inform the client of any report being made.

Clients may also contact:

  • NSPCC (24/7): 0808 800 5000
  • Childline: 0800 1111
  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • NHS 111 (press option 2 for mental health services)

Allegations or Concerns About the Practitioner

If a safeguarding concern or allegation is made regarding my conduct or practice, it will be taken seriously and referred to appropriate authorities and/or my professional body in line with safeguarding procedures and ethical requirements.

Clients may also raise concerns through the BACP complaints process.

Training and Professional Development

I complete safeguarding training annually, including:

  • Child safeguarding
  • Adult safeguarding
  • STORM training (suicide and crisis intervention)
  • Domestic and sexual violence trauma training

I also maintain ongoing supervision and continuing professional development to ensure safe practice.

Policy Review

This policy is reviewed annually or sooner if legislation, guidance, or practice requirements change.

Contact Information

Therapist & Safeguarding Lead: Rabina Khan
Email: rabina@sereniquecounselling.co.uk
DBS Certificate Number: Available on request
ICO Registration Number: ZB891482