Safeguarding and Confidentiality Policy

Room for Hope believes in protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This policy sets out the roles and responsibilities of Room for Hope in working to promote the adult’s welfare and safeguarding them from abuse and neglect. Whilst I do not work directly with children and young adults (under 18) I also take a responsibility to safeguard children and young people if I feel they may also be at risk.

I am a professional member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and follow their code of ethics: https://ncps.com/about-us/code-of-ethics. I have appropriate insurance in place, am a member of the ICO and have an in-date DBS check. I undertake regular training and CPD that includes safeguarding of adults and children.

Room for Hope believes that every client we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. I have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all clients, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them and their interests.

Information discussed in sessions is confidential and information about you will not be shared to anyone else without your consent. I receive regular supervision to ensure I am working safely and ethically where I discuss my work with them; your identity remains confidential. However there are exceptions to confidentiality and confidentiality may be broken if:

I have concerns for your safety or another person’s safety; i.e. you threaten harm to yourself or another person
I believe a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm or abuse
I am instructed by the courts to provide information
You share information with me about a proposed criminal act or act of terrorism.

I always aim to discuss with you first if I feel the need to break confidentiality. However if the situation is urgent and requires immediate action this may not always be possible. This confidentiality statement is set out in the client contract and sessions are unable to go ahead without a signed contract.

The Care Act 2014 definition of an adult at risk of abuse:

Where an individual/organisation has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult…

(a) has needs for care and support

(b) is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and

Key Principles of Adult Safeguarding:

In the safeguarding of adults, Room for Hope is guided by the six key principles set out in The Care Act 2014 and Making Safeguarding Personal. Room for Hope aims to demonstrate and promote these six principles:

Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent
Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.
Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.
Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.
Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

Recognising the signs of abuse:

I have a good understanding of abuse and am able to identify abuse. The adult may say or do things that let you know something is wrong. It may come in the form of a disclosure, complaint, or an expression of concern.

Types of Abuse:

The Care Act 2014 defines the following ten areas of abuse. These are not exhaustive but are a guide to behaviour that may lead to a safeguarding enquiry. This includes:

Physical abuse - Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
Domestic violence/ Domestic abuse - This could be any of the indicators of abuse relating to physical, psychological/emotional, sexual or financial but by a person with whom you have a close family or intimate relationship such as a partner, child, parent.
Sexual abuse - Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography. Witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.
Psychological or emotional abuse - Including threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
Financial or material abuse - Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse of misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
Modern slavery - Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and those who coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
Discriminatory abuse - Including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment because you are, or are perceived to be different due to race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Organisational or institutional abuse - Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to long-term ill treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes or practices within an organisation.
Neglect or acts of omission - Including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
Self-neglect - This covers a wide range of behavior, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. There is a difference between what constitutes a safeguarding incident that requires a statutory response and an incident that is rooted in concern for someone’s general wellbeing.

Radicalisation to Terrorism:

The Government through its PREVENT programme has highlighted how some adults may be vulnerable to exploitation and radicalisation and involvement in terrorism. Signs and indicators of radicalisation may include:

Being in contact with extremist recruiters.
Articulating support for violent extremist causes or leaders.
Accessing violent extremist websites, especially those with a social networking element.
Possessing violent extremist literature.
Using extremist narratives to explain personal disadvantage.
Justifying the use of violence to solve societal issues.
Joining extremist organisations.
Significant changes to appearance and/or behaviour.

Room for Hope will

Inform the adult of the action I propose to take.
Seek their agreement for any referral.
Ensure that they are kept informed about what will happen next, so they can be reassured about what to expect.
Endeavour to ensure that they are safe and supported before proceeding with any other action.
Inform the adult if Room for Hope is planning to seek advice from or report concerns to an external agency.

In most situations there will not be an immediate threat and the decision about protecting the person with safeguarding needs will be taken in consultation with themselves and through referral to Adult Social Care.

If the adult requires immediate protection from harm the emergency services will be contacted.

I only work with adults (over 18) however I also have knowledge of safeguarding children and will also act to safeguard children and young people should a concern for their safety come to my attention.

Last updated 30/08/25