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dbm|therapy

Safeguarding Policy

This safeguarding policy sets out how DBM Therapy protects adult clients and practitioners from harm while working in private practice. It aligns with UK law and the BACP Ethical Framework principles of protecting clients, trustworthiness, accountability, and working within competence.

 

This policy applies to all adult clients (18+) receiving therapy or assessment services.

Legal & Ethical Framework

This policy is informed by:

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  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions (current edition)

  • Mental capacity Act 2005

  • Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • Equality Act 2010

  • Online Safety Acy 2023

  • Relevant adult safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including the Care Act 2014.

Definition of Safeguarding (Adults)

Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect, while supporting autonomy and self-determination wherever possible.

 

Abuse may include:

 

  • Physical abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Psychological or emotional abuse

  • Discriminatory abuse

  • Online abuse

  • Radicalisation

  • Financial or material abuse

  • Neglect or acts of omission

  • Domestic abuse

  • Coercive control

  • Exploitation (including criminal or sexual)

  • Self-neglect & self-harm (where it meets statutory thresholds)

 

Individuals with disabilities may be especially vulnerable to abuse for a number of reasons:

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  • Social isolation

  • A need for practical assistance in daily living, including intimate care

  • Physical dependency with reduction in ability to resist abuse

  • Communication or learning difficulties making disclosure more difficult

  • Carers lacking ability to communicate effectively with the individual

  • Vulnerability to bullying, intimidation, or abuse by peers

  • Deliberate targeting due to perceived vulnerabilities and belief that abuse is less likely to be detected

 

Additional abusive behaviours should be considered in relation to individuals with disabilities:

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  • Force feeding

  • Excessive restraint

  • Rough handling

  • Behaviour modification techniques which involve deprivation of liquid, medication, food or clothing

  • Misuse of medication and sedation

  • Invasive procedures against the individual’s will

  • Ill-fitting equipment that causes injury or pain

Scope & Limitations of Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a core part of therapeutic practice but is not absolute.

 

Information may be shared without client consent where:

 

  • There is a risk of serious harm to the client or others

  • A child or vulnerable adult is at risk

  • There is a legal obligation (e.g. court order, terrorism-related disclosures)

  • Disclosure is required to prevent or detect a serious crime

 

Any decision to override confidentiality will be:

 

  • Proportionate

  • Deemed necessary in the practitioner's clinical judgement

  • Documented

  • Shared with the client wherever safe and appropriate

 

Safeguarding may override GDPR and equality legislation.

Practitioner Responsibility

Safeguarding is a communal responsibility that must be held by all interacting with the service.

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In private practice, the practitioner acts as the safeguarding lead.

 

The practitioner is responsible for:

 

  • Recognising safeguarding concerns

  • Assessing risk

  • Consulting appropriately

  • Making referrals where required

  • Recording decision-making clearly

  • Reviewing risk over time

Safeguarding Process

When a safeguarding concern arises, the practitioner will:

 

  1. Listen and clarify without investigating or promising secrecy

  2. Assess risk, including immediacy and severity

  3. Consider capacity and the client’s wishes

  4. Consult with a supervisor or safeguarding professional where appropriate

  5. Decide on action, which may include: continued therapeutic support, encouraging self-referral, referral to adult safeguarding services, and contacting emergency services

  6. Record the concern, rationale, consultation, and outcome

 

This process must be initiated within a maximum of 24 hrs

Safeguarding Concerns Involving the Practitioner

Individuals should follow British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) guidance:

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https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-us/protecting-the-public/professional-conduct/how-to-complain-about-a-bacp-member/

Consent & Mental Capacity

Where possible, safeguarding actions will be taken with the client’s informed consent.

 

If there are concerns about capacity, decisions will be guided by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including:

 

  • Presumption of capacity unless proven otherwise

  • Best interests decision-making

  • Least restrictive options

Record Keeping

Safeguarding records will:

 

  • Be factual and contemporaneous

  • Distinguish observation from interpretation

  • Record decision-making and rationale

  • Be stored securely in accordance with GDPR

 

Records will be retained in line with professional guidance.

Supervision & Consultation

Safeguarding concerns will be discussed in clinical supervision.

 

Where appropriate, additional consultation may be sought from:

 

  • Local authority adult safeguarding teams

  • Professional bodies

  • Legal or ethical advisors

 

Consultation does not remove practitioner responsibility.

Managing Therapeutic Rupture

Safeguarding actions may impact the therapeutic relationship.

 

Where possible, the practitioner will:

 

  • Be transparent with the client

  • Acknowledge relational impact

  • Support emotional processing of safeguarding actions

 

Safeguarding responsibilities override the goal of maintaining the therapeutic relationship.

Review of Policy

This policy is reviewed annually or when:

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  • Legislation changes

  • Professional guidance is updated

  • Practice context changes

 

 

 

Last reviewed: 11 June 2026

 

Practitioner:  Duncan Barrett 

 

Practice contact details: duncan@dbmtherapy.co.uk,

07932 245 707

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