Counselling in Preston with Claire Law 

Version: 1.0
Date adopted: 18 October 2026
Review date: Oct 2027

1. Purpose:

The purpose of this policy is to protect and promote the safety, dignity and wellbeing of children and adults, including adults at risk, whilst respecting their dignity, choices, privacy and autonomy.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all counselling and psychotherapy services provided by Claire Law practising as Counselling in Preston with Claire Law: including face-to-face, telephone and online sessions.

I work independently in private practice and offer counselling to adults aged 18 and over.

I am the person responsible for managing safeguarding concerns within my practice. This policy supports me to do so, and to be transparent about my processes for managing safeguarding concerns within my practice.  It does not mean that I am an emergency service or that all concerns are automatically reported. 

3. Professional and legal framework

As a BACP member, I recognise my responsibility to act appropriately to protect people from harm, and to comply with the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026 and relevant legislation and statutory guidance applicable in England.

Therefore, my safeguarding processes and decision making are informed by the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (2026), the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Human Rights Act 1998, Equality Act 2010, UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026) alongside applicable duties and local safeguarding arrangements.   

I use relevant professional supervision and seek specialist advice where appropriate.

Legal responsibilities and referral routes may differ if a client is located outside England. 

4. Defining children at potential risk of harm:

In England, children are defined as a person under the age of 18.  Although I do not counsel anyone under 18, a client may disclose information suggesting there may be a safeguarding concern or risk of harm relating to a child or children.

When considering children at risk of potential harm, I utilize the guidance contained within “Working Well with Children and Families in Lancashire” documentation from the local place-based safeguarding partnerships within Lancashire. This document fulfils requirements of the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026).

5. Defining adults at risk in relation to safeguarding concerns:

Under the Care Act (2014), an adult at risk is someone over 18 years old who:

• has care and support needs (whether these care and support meets are currently being met or not)

• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

• as a result of their care and support needs are unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. 

In previous safeguarding guidance for England, the term “vulnerable adult” was used.  I use the term “adult at risk”. 

Adults at risk are subject to safeguarding consideration if they are experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect. I define abuse as where someone does something to another person, or to themselves, which puts them at risk of harm and impacts on their health and wellbeing.  Forms of abuse include (but are not necessarily limited to) physical abuse, domestic abuse (including forced marriage and so-called ‘honour’-based abuse), sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, discriminatory abuse, organisational abuse, neglect, self-neglect, modern slavery, and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  

6. Recognising safeguarding concerns

A safeguarding concern for a child or adult at risk, or a concern that any adult may be at risk of harm may arise through a client's disclosure, observed behaviour, information shared by another person, or concerns about a child's or adult's circumstances.

I undertake regular training in safeguarding. This training supports me to remain alert to safeguarding concerns and concerns that a child or adult at risk, may be subject to a safeguarding concern. 

I also access regular clinical supervision which includes a focus on safeguarding.

7. Responding to safeguarding concerns for children or adults at risk

If I become aware of what may be a safeguarding concern for a child or adult at risk, I will:

·       Listen carefully and calmly,

·       Seek to understand the facts,

·       Consider immediate safety, and potential risk,

·       Consider action(s) already taken in relation to safeguarding the child(ren) or adult(s) at risk,

·       Wherever possible, explore options with my client for them and myself in relation to the potential safeguarding concern or concern about risk of harm. I want to work in partnership with people in considering their needs around their personal safety when accessing counselling.

Options could include (but are not necessarily limited to) exploring actions the client could take in order to support the safeguarding of the child(ren) or adult at risk; the possibility of seeking safeguarding advice from my clinical supervisor, my professional insurer, legal advisers or relevant safeguarding professionals; contacting the appropriate safeguarding authority or emergency service when necessary and proportionate following applicable legal duties. Where urgent action is required, I will act without delay to share information if I believe someone is at risk of immediate serious harm.

Following any safeguarding concern for a child or adult at risk, I will keep appropriate records relating to the safeguarding concern and actions taken (see section 8 – Documenting safeguarding concerns).

I will then continue to review the situation to consider ongoing safety, follow-up actions and whether further support or referral is needed.  I will use clinical supervision to reflect on safeguarding concerns, ethical dilemmas and the impact of safeguarding decisions.

8. Documenting safeguarding concerns

I will maintain a secure safeguarding record for each relevant incident or concern.

Records will be factual, dated and completed as soon as reasonably possible.  They will distinguish between the client's own words, my observations and my professional assessment.

Records will include, where relevant:

• The date, time and circumstances of the concern.

• The information disclosed or observed.

• The risk assessment and decisions made and rationale for these decisions.

• Advice sought and referrals or disclosures made.

• The name and role of the person or service contacted.

• The rationale for action taken or not taken.

• Any follow-up arrangements.

Safeguarding records will be stored securely and retained in accordance with my privacy policy, data protection obligations and record-retention arrangements.

9. Recognising that any adult may be at risk of harm

Any adult (not only those considered to meet the threshold for being an adult at risk according the Care Act (2014) can potentially experience abuse and neglect.

Therefore, in my work with clients, I will consider concerns around abuse and neglect related to anyone over the age of 18, as well as children. 

10. Responding to concerns around risk for an adult

I will respect an adult's autonomy and their right to make their own decisions and will not assume that a person is unable to make decisions simply because they are distressed, disabled, unwell or experiencing abuse.

If a concern around risk for/to an adult (or adults) arises, I will

·       Listen carefully and calmly,

·       Seek to understand the facts,

·       Assess the nature and immediacy of the risk, and my client’s own capacity to make autonomous choices about their own life. 

·       Consider action(s) already taken in relation to mitigate and manage risk,

·       Wherever possible, explore options collaboratively with my client for them and myself in relation to the managing and reduction of any risk of harm.  I aim to work in partnership with people in considering their needs around their personal safety when accessing counselling.

·       Where appropriate I will discuss safety planning, support networks, specialist domestic abuse services, GP or mental health or other specialised services.

·       I will seek appropriate consultation with my clinical supervisor as needed, without delaying urgent action.

·       In the event I assess there is serious and unmanaged risk to an adult or adults, I may need to share limited information with a client’s Emergency Contact or another professional to support the safe and effective management of risk of serious harm. I will ordinarily seek the person’s informed agreement and collaboration before a referral or disclosure and take account of their wishes if they decline help. However, consent is not the only possible lawful basis for sharing information.  If the situation requires an emergency response to preserve life, I will take proportionate protective action.  This may include helping a client obtain urgent healthcare, contacting emergency services on 999 where justified, or contacting another appropriate service. Where urgent action is required, I will act without delay to share information if I believe someone is at risk of immediate serious harm

Where I have concerns about risk for an adult, I will document within my clinical notes any action taken to assess and manage risk. I will then continue to review the situation to consider ongoing safety, follow-up actions and whether further support or referral is needed. I will use clinical supervision to reflect on concerns relating to risk for adult clients and other adults.

11. Online & telephone counselling

At the beginning of online or telephone counselling, I will ask for the client's current location.

If a safeguarding or safety concern arises during an online or phone session, I will consider immediate safety and contact appropriate local emergency or safeguarding services if required.

I will discuss with clients what to do if a connection fails during a crisis and take reasonable steps to protect the privacy and security of online communications.

12. Competence, supervision and review

I will maintain relevant safeguarding knowledge and training, use clinical supervision appropriately and recognise the limits of my competence. Significant incidents or learning will inform review of this policy. It will be reviewed at least annually and whenever legislation, guidance or my practice arrangements change.

13. Policy access and concerns about my practice

Clients can access this policy by requesting a copy. It is also published on my website. They can raise safeguarding concerns directly with me using the contact details in their counselling agreement. Clients can also use their autonomy to raise safeguarding concerns directly with their local authority. In Lancashire, this can be done via Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership: https://lancashiresafeguardingpartnership.org.uk/

If a concern arises about my own conduct or the conduct of another professional, I value this being raised with myself if this felt possible. Where necessary, I will seek advice, follow relevant reporting requirements and cooperate with appropriate investigations.  I will take your concern seriously and consider appropriate steps to protect clients and others from harm.  Again, clients can also use their autonomy to raise safeguarding concerns directly with their local authority.  In Lancashire, this can be done via Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership: https://lancashiresafeguardingpartnership.org.uk/  If the concern related to myself, or another BACP member, contacting the BACP to discuss your concern is an option, using the Get Help with Counselling Concerns service. 

14. Sources of support

If you are concerned about the safety of wellbeing of a child, you can report any safeguarding concerns directly with the child’s local authority.  In Lancashire, this can be done via Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership: https://lancashiresafeguardingpartnership.org.uk/ If the child is resident in another part of the UK, you can report concerns to a local council by searching on the Government website.  You can also contact the police or the NSPCC on 0808 8005000.

If the suspected or alleged abuse involves an adult in a position of trust, such as a professional or volunteer working with children, contact the local safeguarding board or search for the  Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). For adults or children with care and support needs, contact the lead Person in a Position of Trust, in England this Local Authority worker is named as the (PiPoT). The PiPoT has a responsibility for investigating allegations when a person in a position of trust has harmed or poses a risk of harm to someone in their care.

If you are concerned about the safety of wellbeing of an adult at risk, you can contact the person’s local authority.  Local authorities have social workers who deal specifically with cases of abuse and neglect.  You can call the person's local council and ask for the adult safeguarding co-ordinator.  You can also speak to the police or report a concern to a person’s GP.

If you are concerned about another adult, there are various ways you can access support for yourself and/or them.  You can report crimes such as domestic abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) at https://www.gov.uk/browse/justice/reporting-crimes.  You can also access information relating to Domestic Abuse at the https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

If you are concerned about someone experiencing a mental health crisis, you can ring 999 and state the county the person needing help is in, and a contact number for that person if you are not calling about yourself.  If you, or the person you’re concerned about is not in immediate danger, but you need assistance, you can also call the police on 101, or NHS Direct on 111.  You can also present at A&E.  Alternatively, if the crisis is of a suicidal nature, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or access information at the Samaritans. You can call The National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 0800 6895652 or access information at the National Suicide Prevention Helpline.  You can also contact the local mental health crisis team.  Please search for mental health crisis team and include your postcode if you need to talk to someone straight away.