Safeguarding Policy - MV Therapies

MV Therapies Safeguarding Policy

Practitioner: Magdalena Vonk
Business name: MV Therapies
Professional status: Trainee Psychotherapist and CNHC-accredited practitioner
Website: youronlinetherapist.co.uk
Telephone: 07396 717620
Policy date: 1 July 2026
Next review date: 1 July 2027

1. Purpose of this policy

MV Therapies is committed to promoting the safety, dignity, welfare and wellbeing of clients and others who may be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

This Safeguarding Policy sets out the procedures I follow when a safeguarding concern arises during my counselling, psychotherapy or hypnotherapy practice. It explains how concerns are identified, assessed, recorded, reported and followed up.

I recognise my responsibility to act appropriately when a child or adult may be at risk of harm. I will respond to concerns sensitively, take them seriously and follow relevant legislation, professional guidance, safeguarding procedures and the requirements of my training organisation and clinical supervisor.

This policy should be read alongside my Counselling and Psychotherapy Policy, Privacy Policy, Social Media and Electronic Information Policy, and therapy agreement.

2. Scope of the policy

I currently provide therapeutic services to adults aged 18 and over, both in person and online.

Although my client work is with adults, safeguarding concerns may involve children, family members, partners, carers or other individuals who may be at risk. I will take appropriate action whenever a concern arises within the scope of my professional responsibilities.

This policy applies to:

All counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy sessions provided by MV Therapies.
Initial consultations, assessments and relevant communications with clients.
In-person and online sessions.
Information disclosed by clients about possible abuse, neglect, exploitation or risk of harm.
Safeguarding concerns relating to children and adults at risk.

3. Safeguarding principles

My safeguarding practice is guided by the following principles:

Safety: The welfare and safety of children and adults at risk are a priority.
Respect and dignity: Every person will be treated with compassion, respect and without discrimination.
Empowerment: Individuals will be supported to express their wishes and participate in decisions affecting them wherever possible.
Proportionality: I will take action appropriate to the level and nature of the concern.
Prevention: I will remain alert to indicators of abuse, neglect, exploitation and coercion.
Accountability: I will document concerns, decisions and actions accurately.
Confidentiality: Personal information will be protected, subject to legal and ethical responsibilities to share information when necessary to safeguard someone.
Professional responsibility: I will seek appropriate guidance from my clinical supervisor and relevant safeguarding professionals.

4. Definitions of safeguarding

4.1 Safeguarding children

A child is anyone under the age of 18.

Safeguarding children means protecting them from abuse, neglect and exploitation, preventing harm to their health or development, and taking appropriate action when there are concerns about their safety or welfare.

Although MV Therapies does not currently provide therapy to children, I may receive disclosures concerning a child during work with an adult client. I will take these concerns seriously and follow the appropriate safeguarding procedures.

4.2 Safeguarding adults at risk

Under the Care Act 2014, an adult with care and support needs may be considered an adult at risk where they are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect and, because of those needs, are unable to protect themselves from that abuse or neglect.

I recognise that adults may experience abuse regardless of age, disability, health, background or circumstances. I will consider each situation individually and will not make assumptions about a person’s ability to protect themselves.

5. Types of abuse and neglect

I will remain alert to possible signs, disclosures or indicators of abuse and neglect, including:

Physical abuse: Hitting, assault, inappropriate restraint, injury or other physical harm.
Emotional or psychological abuse: Threats, intimidation, humiliation, coercive control, harassment or persistent verbal abuse.
Sexual abuse: Sexual assault, exploitation, harassment or sexual activity without valid consent.
Financial or material abuse: Theft, fraud, coercion involving money or property, or misuse of financial resources.
Neglect and acts of omission: Failure to provide necessary care, support, supervision or essential needs.
Domestic abuse: Physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, financial or controlling behaviour within intimate or family relationships.
Discriminatory abuse: Harassment, exclusion or mistreatment related to protected characteristics or personal circumstances.
Organisational abuse: Abuse or neglect arising from inadequate or harmful care practices within an organisation or institution.
Modern slavery and exploitation: Human trafficking, forced labour, servitude or other forms of exploitation.
Self-neglect: Serious neglect of personal hygiene, health or surroundings where this creates significant concerns about a person’s wellbeing.

These examples are not exhaustive. I will consider the circumstances and information available rather than relying solely on visible signs of harm.

6. My responsibilities as a practitioner

As a trainee psychotherapist, I recognise the limits of my role, competence and authority. I will not investigate allegations independently or attempt to determine whether abuse has definitively occurred.

My responsibilities are to:

Listen carefully and respond sensitively to disclosures.
Take concerns seriously and assess whether immediate action is needed.
Explain the limits of confidentiality.
Seek advice from my clinical supervisor or the relevant safeguarding service.
Refer or report concerns to the appropriate statutory authority where necessary.
Maintain factual, proportionate and secure records.
Follow the safeguarding requirements of my training organisation, professional bodies and insurer.
Cooperate appropriately with safeguarding professionals and lawful requests for information.

I will work within my training and competence and seek additional professional guidance whenever necessary.

Clinical supervisor: Anne Millne-Riley (anne.millne-riley@nchp.ac.uk)
Training organisation: The National College of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy.

7. Responding to a safeguarding disclosure

If a client discloses abuse, neglect, exploitation or a concern about the safety of another person, I will:

Remain calm, listen without judgement and take the disclosure seriously.
Allow the person to explain what has happened in their own words.
Avoid leading questions, interrogation or promises that I cannot keep.
Reassure the person that they have been heard and that their safety matters.
Explain that information may need to be shared with appropriate professionals if necessary to protect someone from harm.
Establish whether anyone is in immediate danger and whether urgent assistance is required.
Record the information as accurately as possible, distinguishing the person’s own words from my observations.
Consult my clinical supervisor as soon as practicable, provided this does not delay urgent protective action.
Contact the relevant local authority safeguarding team or other appropriate service where a referral is necessary.

I will not promise absolute confidentiality or undertake my own investigation.

If there is immediate danger to life or serious risk of harm, I will contact the emergency services on 999.

8. Safeguarding children

If I become concerned that a child may be experiencing abuse, neglect, exploitation or another form of harm, I will take appropriate action even though I do not provide therapy to children.

I will:

Listen carefully to any relevant disclosure.
Consider whether the child may be at immediate risk.
Record the information factually and securely.
Seek advice from my clinical supervisor and the relevant children’s safeguarding service.
Make a referral to children’s social care or the appropriate safeguarding authority when indicated.
Contact the police on 999 if the child is in immediate danger or urgent police assistance is required.

I will not contact an alleged perpetrator or take steps that could increase risk to the child or compromise an appropriate safeguarding response.

Where safe and appropriate, I will discuss the proposed action with the adult client. However, I will not delay a necessary referral or share this information with the client if doing so could increase risk.

9. Safeguarding adults at risk

If I have concerns that an adult may be experiencing abuse or neglect, I will consider the nature and seriousness of the concern, the person’s circumstances, their wishes and feelings, and any immediate risk.

Where appropriate, I will:

Listen respectfully and take the person’s concerns seriously.
Explain available support and safeguarding options.
Encourage the person to seek appropriate help.
Respect their autonomy, wishes and decisions wherever possible.
Consider whether they have care and support needs and whether they may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.
Seek guidance from my clinical supervisor or the relevant safeguarding service.
Make a referral to adult social care or another appropriate service where necessary.
Contact emergency services if there is an immediate threat to safety.

Where an adult has capacity and no overriding safeguarding or legal concern requires information to be shared, I will generally respect their wishes about whether to seek further assistance.

However, I may need to share information without consent where there is a serious risk of harm, a risk to another person, a relevant legal obligation or another lawful and justified safeguarding reason.

I will consider the circumstances carefully and seek appropriate professional advice.

10. Confidentiality and information sharing

Confidentiality is central to the therapeutic relationship. However, it is not absolute.

Information may need to be shared where:

A child may be at risk of abuse or significant harm.
An adult may be experiencing abuse or neglect and safeguarding action is necessary.
There is a serious risk of harm to the client or another person.
Disclosure is required by law or a court order.
Sharing is otherwise lawful, necessary and proportionate to protect someone from harm.

Wherever possible and safe, I will explain to the client what information needs to be shared, with whom and why.

I will share only information relevant to the safeguarding concern and only with appropriate individuals or agencies. I will document the reasons for sharing information, the recipient and the information disclosed.

If I decide not to share information, I will record the reasons for that decision and any advice received.

I will handle all personal information in accordance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 and my Privacy Policy.

11. Risk assessment and immediate danger

I will remain attentive to signs that a client or another person may be at immediate or increasing risk of harm.

Where appropriate, I will assess the urgency of the concern within my competence and seek advice from relevant professionals.

If a client appears to be in immediate danger, I will:

Contact emergency services on 999 where necessary.
Take reasonable steps within my role to support immediate safety.
Share relevant information with the appropriate emergency or safeguarding professionals.
Contact my clinical supervisor as soon as practicable.
Document the circumstances, decisions and actions taken.

I recognise that counselling and psychotherapy are not emergency services. Clients who require urgent medical or psychiatric support will be directed to the appropriate service.

12. Online and remote safeguarding

For online sessions, I will take reasonable steps to support client safety and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.

Where appropriate, I will:

Confirm the client’s location and a contact number at the beginning of an online session.
Establish an agreed procedure for responding to a lost connection during a session involving significant risk.
Encourage clients to participate from a private and safe environment.
Consider whether another person may be monitoring or coercing the client.
Seek appropriate assistance if a safeguarding concern arises during an online session.

If an urgent safeguarding concern arises, I will use the available information to contact the relevant emergency or safeguarding service.

I will not assume that a person is safe simply because a session is taking place remotely.

13. Professional boundaries and safe practice

I am committed to maintaining clear and appropriate professional boundaries.

I will:

Treat clients fairly, respectfully and without discrimination.
Avoid exploiting the therapeutic relationship for personal, emotional, sexual or financial benefit.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries in person and online.
Keep client information confidential and secure.
Work within my qualifications, training and competence.
Seek supervision and refer clients to another service when their needs fall outside my competence.
Take appropriate action if a concern arises about my own practice or the conduct of another professional.

I will not use my professional position to intimidate, manipulate or exploit clients.

14. Allegations or concerns about my practice

If a client or another person raises a safeguarding concern or allegation about my conduct, I will take it seriously and respond professionally.

I will:

Listen to the concern without dismissing or discouraging it.
Record the allegation accurately.
Seek advice from my clinical supervisor and, where appropriate, my training organisation or professional body.
Notify the relevant safeguarding authority, insurer or other appropriate body where required.
Cooperate with any appropriate investigation.
Maintain confidentiality while ensuring that relevant information is shared where necessary and lawful.

If the concern relates to my clinical supervisor or training organisation, I will seek advice from an appropriate independent professional body or safeguarding authority.

15. Recording and storing safeguarding concerns

I will keep clear, factual and proportionate records of safeguarding concerns and the actions taken.

Records may include:

The date and time the concern arose.
The information disclosed, using the person’s own words where possible.
Relevant observations and the circumstances surrounding the concern.
Any immediate risks identified.
Advice received from my clinical supervisor or safeguarding professionals.
Decisions made and the reasons for those decisions.
Details of referrals, information sharing and follow-up actions.

I will distinguish between facts, direct observations, reported information and my professional assessment.

Safeguarding records will be stored securely, with access restricted to authorised persons. Information will be retained and disposed of in accordance with my record-retention arrangements, applicable data protection law and relevant professional guidance.

16. Training, supervision and professional development

As a trainee psychotherapist, I recognise the importance of ongoing supervision and safeguarding education.

I will:

Discuss safeguarding concerns with my clinical supervisor as appropriate.
Maintain awareness of relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance and referral procedures.
Complete safeguarding training appropriate to my role and training requirements.
Follow the safeguarding procedures of my training organisation.
Seek guidance whenever I am uncertain about the appropriate course of action.
Review this policy regularly and update it when necessary.

Supervision will be used to support safe and ethical practice. It will not replace the need to contact emergency services or make a safeguarding referral when urgent action is required.

17. Equality, diversity and inclusion

MV Therapies is committed to treating all individuals with dignity, respect and fairness.

I will not discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or other personal circumstances.

I recognise that people may face additional barriers to disclosing abuse or accessing support. These may include language barriers, disability, cultural expectations, fear of consequences, social isolation or previous negative experiences with services.

I will take reasonable steps to communicate sensitively, consider individual needs and support access to appropriate safeguarding services.

18. Safeguarding contacts and reporting

The appropriate local authority will depend on where the child or adult at risk lives. As I work in Cheltenham, Oxford and Bristol and provide online services, I will identify the correct safeguarding service for the relevant location.

Emergency services: 999
Police non-emergency: 101
Adult safeguarding: 01452 426 868
Children’s safeguarding: Call 01452 426565 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm)
Clinical supervisor: Anne Millne-Riley
Training organisation safeguarding lead: The National College of Hypnosis & Psychotherapy.

I will maintain an up-to-date list of relevant safeguarding contacts and procedures for the areas in which I practise.

19. Review of this policy

This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if there are changes to relevant legislation, professional guidance, my training requirements or the services I provide.

The policy will be updated where necessary to ensure that safeguarding arrangements remain appropriate to my practice.

Policy owner: Magdalena Vonk, MV Therapies
Date issued: 1 July 2026
Next review date: 1 July 2027