Buttercup Counselling Safeguarding Policies
Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy
The Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy sets out Buttercup Counselling’s approach to preventing and reducing harm to vulnerable adults when they are in contact with Buttercup Counselling. Carers are aware that work with the child or young person will be taking place on a one to one basis, unless special arrangements are in place.
The policy aims to:
The Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy also seeks to manage effectively the risks associated with activities and events involving vulnerable adults:
This policy requires that any suspicions and allegations involving harm to vulnerable adults are referred to the British Association for counsellors and Psychotherapists to determine what action, if any, must be taken. This will enable each situation to be investigated thoroughly, whilst treating the parties involved fairly and with sensitivity. It will also ensure that suitable steps are taken as a result of any investigations, which may include contacting the police and/or fulfilling the legal duty to refer information to the DBS as required. The Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policy should be used as the basis of Buttercup Counselling’s approach to preventing and reducing harm to vulnerable adults.
Our policies are reviewed annually to ensure updates are maintained.
The policy aims to:
- Promote and prioritize the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable adults.
- Provide assurance to parents, carers and other parties that Buttercup Counselling takes reasonable steps to manage risks and keep vulnerable adults safe.
- Ensure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with the necessary information, training and support on safeguarding matters.
- Prevent the employment of individuals in work with vulnerable adults where they have been barred by the DBS or are deemed by the us to pose an unacceptable risk to vulnerable groups.
- Ensure that appropriate action is taken in the event of any allegations or suspicions regarding harm to vulnerable adults arising from contact with Buttercup Counselling partners, whether the harm has taken place on Buttercup Counselling premises or not.
The Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy also seeks to manage effectively the risks associated with activities and events involving vulnerable adults:
- Completing a risk assessment process which involves identifying risks and means of reducing or eliminating these.
- Implementing the required actions identified by the risk assessment process and reviewing the effectiveness of these on a regular basis.
- Ensuring that the appropriate DBS or basic disclosure checks are conducted for working with vulnerable adults.
This policy requires that any suspicions and allegations involving harm to vulnerable adults are referred to the British Association for counsellors and Psychotherapists to determine what action, if any, must be taken. This will enable each situation to be investigated thoroughly, whilst treating the parties involved fairly and with sensitivity. It will also ensure that suitable steps are taken as a result of any investigations, which may include contacting the police and/or fulfilling the legal duty to refer information to the DBS as required. The Vulnerable Adult Safeguarding Policy should be used as the basis of Buttercup Counselling’s approach to preventing and reducing harm to vulnerable adults.
Our policies are reviewed annually to ensure updates are maintained.
Safeguarding Children Policy
The purpose of this policy is to protect children and young people who receive counselling and or support from Buttercup Counselling. We believe that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to work in a way that protects them in accordance with the ethical code of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and the local authority. Parents/carers are aware that work with the child or young person will be taking place on a one to one basis, unless special arrangements are in place. This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation can be found at Northants.gov.uk Related Policies and Procedures.
We recognise that:
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
Our policies are reviewed annually to ensure required ethical and legislative updates are maintained.
We recognise that:
- The welfare of the child is paramount.
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
- Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
- Valuing, listening to and respecting them.
- Adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct in line with the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists.
- Undergoing regular safeguarding and child protection training.
- Maintaining effective management of what we do through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures.
- Holding Enhanced DBS checks.
- Recording and storing information professionally and securely in line with Insurers guidelines.
- Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately.
- Managing complaints ensuring parents and children have information on who to contact with a complaint or issue.
- Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment.
- Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children and young people, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
Our policies are reviewed annually to ensure required ethical and legislative updates are maintained.