Safeguarding in Counselling

Hidden Dragon Holistics is committed to safeguarding in counselling and to providing counselling in a way that protects the safety, dignity, autonomy and wellbeing of the people who use the service.

This page explains the safeguarding arrangements for adult counselling provided by Chris Smith MBACP through Hidden Dragon Holistics and how to raise a safeguarding concern.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding means taking appropriate action to protect people from abuse, neglect, exploitation or serious harm.

Although Hidden Dragon Holistics provides counselling to adults aged 18 and over, safeguarding concerns may involve:

• an adult who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation because of care or support needs;
• a child or young person;
• the person receiving counselling;
• another person who may be at serious risk of harm.

Safeguarding concerns may include physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse; neglect; domestic abuse; coercive or controlling behaviour; financial abuse; exploitation; serious self-neglect; or other circumstances in which somebody may be at risk of serious harm.

A safeguarding issue involving a child or young person may arise during adult counselling even though the child or young person is not themselves receiving counselling from Hidden Dragon Holistics. 

My approach to safeguarding

Counselling depends on trust, privacy and confidentiality. I will therefore aim to work collaboratively with you and respect your autonomy wherever this is possible and appropriate.

When a safeguarding or serious safety concern arises, I will consider the individual circumstances rather than automatically following a predetermined response.

Where appropriate, this may include considering:

• what has happened and how serious the concern appears to be;
• whether anybody is in immediate danger;
• the wishes and views of the person concerned;
• whether a child or adult at risk may be affected;
• what support or protective resources are already available;
• whether another professional or safeguarding service needs to be involved;
• whether information needs to be shared to protect somebody from serious harm.

I will aim to take action that is necessary and proportionate to the circumstances, while protecting confidentiality and autonomy as far as reasonably possible. This reflects the approach set out in the full HDH Safeguarding and Risk Policy. 

Confidentiality and safeguarding

What you share in counselling is treated confidentially. However, confidentiality is not absolute.

There may be circumstances where relevant information needs to be shared, including where this is necessary and proportionate to:

• protect you or another person from serious harm;
• protect a child or adult at risk;
• respond to a safeguarding concern;
• meet a legal requirement or safeguarding duty.

Wherever it is safe and practicable, I will involve you in decisions about sharing information before taking action.

If information does need to be shared, I will aim to share only what is necessary and relevant for the purpose.

There may occasionally be circumstances where involving you beforehand would not be safe or possible, for example where urgent action is required or discussing the proposed action could itself increase the risk of harm. Where collaboration has to be limited, the reasons for this will be recorded. This approach is also reflected consistently in the HDH counselling agreements and privacy notices. 

Suicide, self-harm and serious distress

Experiencing suicidal thoughts, thoughts of not wanting to be alive, self-harm or serious emotional distress does not automatically mean that confidentiality will be broken or that counselling cannot continue.

If concerns arise, I will aim to talk openly and respectfully with you about what is happening and develop an understanding of your individual circumstances.

I do not use simple categories such as “low”, “medium” or “high” to predict whether somebody will attempt suicide or self-harm. Instead, where necessary, I use collaborative risk assessment and formulation to understand what may be increasing or reducing safety and what support may be needed. 

Depending on the circumstances, we may:

• explore what is contributing to the distress;
• identify warning signs or changes in safety;
• consider coping strategies and existing sources of support;
• develop or review a collaborative safety plan;
• consider involving a GP, mental health service or another appropriate source of support;
• consider what might make the immediate environment safer.

If there is an immediate or serious risk of harm, more urgent action may be necessary.

Children and young people

Hidden Dragon Holistics counselling is an adult counselling service.

However, information disclosed during adult counselling may raise concerns about the welfare of a child or young person.

If this happens, I will not attempt to investigate or establish whether abuse has occurred. I may ask enough questions to understand the safeguarding concern and determine what action may be necessary.

Where appropriate, this may involve consultation with or referral to the relevant safeguarding service. Wherever it is safe and appropriate, I will aim to involve the counselling client in this process. 

Historical abuse does not automatically result in information being shared. I will consider whether the information indicates a current safeguarding concern, such as an identifiable child or other person who may presently be at risk.

Adults at risk

An adult safeguarding concern may arise where an adult:

• has care and support needs;
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
• may be unable to protect themselves from that abuse or neglect because of those needs.

Where such a concern arises, I will consider the person’s wishes and circumstances, whether there is immediate danger, whether anyone else may be at risk, and whether safeguarding consultation or referral is necessary.

Wherever possible and appropriate, the adult will be involved in decisions affecting them. 

Domestic abuse and coercive control

Safeguarding concerns may also arise where somebody is experiencing domestic abuse, coercive or controlling behaviour, stalking, threats, exploitation or other harm from another person.

I will aim to work sensitively with you and consider your wishes, circumstances and safety.

This may include thinking carefully about safe ways of contacting you, whether written information can safely be sent to you, whether other people are at risk, and whether specialist support or safeguarding action may be appropriate.

Risk of harm to another person

If information suggests that another person may be at serious risk of harm, I will consider the circumstances carefully.

This may include considering the nature and immediacy of the potential harm, whether the person is identifiable, whether there is intent or planning, whether children or adults at risk are involved, and whether immediate action is necessary.

Where possible and safe, I will work collaboratively with the counselling client to reduce the risk.

In some circumstances it may be necessary and proportionate to contact another professional, safeguarding service or emergency service. 

Raising a safeguarding concern about Hidden Dragon Holistics counselling

Chris Smith MBACP is responsible for safeguarding within the Hidden Dragon Holistics counselling service.

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to Hidden Dragon Holistics counselling, please contact me using the Hidden Dragon Holistics contact form and select:

Safeguarding concern

Please provide only:

• a brief description of the concern;
• your name, if you are comfortable providing it; and
• a safe way for me to contact you.

Please do not include detailed or sensitive counselling, medical or safeguarding information in the website contact form. I will arrange an appropriate way for any further information to be provided if this is needed.

Website forms are not monitored continuously and should not be used to request emergency or immediate crisis support.

You do not need to be a current counselling client to raise a safeguarding concern if the concern relates to an HDH counselling service or somebody affected by it.

If your concern is about the counselling service

If your concern is about the conduct, quality or administration of counselling provided by Hidden Dragon Holistics rather than a safeguarding matter, please see the Hidden Dragon Holistics Counselling Complaints Procedure.

If your concern relates specifically to how your personal information has been collected, used or handled, please see the Data Protection Complaints Procedure.

If somebody is in immediate danger

Hidden Dragon Holistics is not an emergency or 24-hour crisis service.

If you or somebody else is in immediate danger, call 999 or attend the nearest Accident & Emergency department.

If you need urgent mental health support in England and the situation is not immediately life-threatening, you can contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

You can also contact the Samaritans free on 116 123.

Where there is a safeguarding concern involving a child or adult at risk, you may also contact the appropriate local authority safeguarding service directly.

Professional supervision

I use regular professional supervision as part of safe and ethical counselling practice.

Safeguarding and risk matters may be discussed in supervision where appropriate, with information anonymised as far as reasonably possible.

Where urgent action is required to protect somebody from serious harm, action will not be delayed while waiting for routine supervision.

Further information about safeguarding arrangements

Hidden Dragon Holistics maintains a detailed internal Safeguarding and Risk Policy to support safe and accountable counselling practice.

This webpage provides the safeguarding information intended for people using, considering using, or otherwise affected by the Hidden Dragon Holistics counselling service.

If you need further information about how the safeguarding procedures would apply to you or to a concern you wish to raise, please contact me. I will provide relevant information in a form that is appropriate and accessible to your circumstances.