Safeguarding Policy
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Purpose and Aim of the Policy Statement
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This policy outlines WellBe Link’s responsibilities under the Children Act 2004 to ensure that children, young people, and adults at risk are safe from harm. This includes harm arising from:
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The conduct of counsellors and trainers associated with WellBe Link.
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The design and implementation of WellBe Link’s programmes.
We are committed to keeping children and at-risk adults safe at all times while under our care and supervision.
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The Policy
This policy outlines the commitments made by WellBe Link and informs counsellors of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding. It does not cover safeguarding concerns in the wider community not perpetrated by WellBe Link or associated counsellors and trainers.
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What is Safeguarding?
In the UK, safeguarding means protecting people's health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. It involves protecting people, including children and at-risk adults, from harm arising from contact with our counsellors or programmes. Definitions related to safeguarding are provided in the glossary below.
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Scope
This policy applies to all staff contracted by or associated with WellBe Link in any capacity.
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Policy Statement
WellBe Link believes every client, 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. We are responsible for promoting the welfare of all our clients, keeping them safe, and practising in a way that protects their interests.
This policy addresses child and adult safeguarding through prevention, reporting, and response.
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Prevention - WellBe Training and Counselling Responsibilities
WellBe Link will:
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Ensure all counsellors and trainers are familiar with and understand their responsibilities within this policy.
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Design and implement all counselling programmes to protect individuals from harm, ensuring client information is gathered, communicated, and stored securely.
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Implement stringent safeguarding procedures for recruiting, managing, and deploying counsellors and trainers, including appropriate DBS checks.
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Provide regular refresher training on safeguarding for counsellors and trainers.
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Promptly follow up on safeguarding concerns according to due process.
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Staff Responsibilities
Child Safeguarding
WellBe Link staff and associates must not:
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Subject a child to physical, emotional, or psychological abuse or neglect.
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Adult Safeguarding
WellBe Link staff and associates must not:
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Subject an at-risk adult to physical, emotional, or psychological abuse or neglect.
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Additionally, WellBe Link counsellors and trainers are obliged to:
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Ensure the welfare of clients, considering their wishes and feelings in all interactions.
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Create and maintain an environment that prevents safeguarding violations and promotes the Safeguarding Policy.
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Report any safeguarding concerns or suspicions through the appropriate channels.
Reporting
WellBe Link will provide safe, appropriate, and accessible means for reporting safeguarding concerns for counsellors and the communities we work with. We will also accept complaints from external sources such as the public, partners, and official bodies.
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Response
WellBe Link will follow up on safeguarding reports and concerns according to policy, procedure, and legal obligations. Appropriate disciplinary or training measures will be applied to staff found in breach of policy. Support will be offered to individuals harmed by counsellors, with decisions led by the individual.
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Confidentiality
Confidentiality must be maintained throughout the safeguarding process. Information will be stored and handled per the Data Protection Act 2018, shared only on a need-to-know basis, and kept secure at all times.
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Dates
This Policy Statement comes into force from 31st October and will be reviewed annually, with the next review taking place on 30th October 2024.
Contact Details
For further support and advice, contact: Joanna Buckland (Safeguarding Laed) at joanna@wellbelink.co.uk
Other helpful contacts:
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NSPCC: T: 0808 800 5000 | E: help@nspcc.org.uk
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Glossary of Terms
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Beneficiary of Assistance: Someone who directly receives goods or services from WellBe Link.
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Child: A person below the age of 18.
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Harm: Psychological, physical, and any other infringement of an individual’s rights.
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Physical Abuse: Any intentional act causing injury or trauma to another person by way of bodily contact.
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Emotional Abuse: Any act including confinement, isolation, verbal assault, humiliation, intimidation, infantilisation, or any other treatment which may diminish the sense of identity, dignity, and self-worth.
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Psychological Abuse: Emotional or psychological abuse, including humiliating and degrading treatment such as name-calling, constant criticism, belittling, persistent shaming, solitary confinement, and isolation.
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Neglect: The failure to provide necessary care, assistance, guidance, or attention that causes, or is reasonably likely to cause, the person physical, mental, or emotional harm or substantial damage to or loss of assets.
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Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA): Preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of affected populations by staff.
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Safeguarding: Protecting people from harm arising from contact with our staff or services.
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Sexual Abuse: Actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature under coercive conditions.
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Sexual Exploitation: Abuse of a position of vulnerability for sexual purposes, including profiting monetarily, socially, or politically from the exploitation of another. This definition includes human trafficking and modern slavery.
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At-risk Adult: A person in need of care by reason of mental or other disability, age, or illness, unable to protect themselves against significant harm.