Safeguarding Policy for Happy Minds Group Trading as Didsbury Therapy Centre

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. Purpose

This policy explains how safeguarding concerns are identified, recorded, and responded to within this mental health practice. It supports duty of care while complying with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Safeguarding means protecting adults at risk from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and serious harm, including risk of suicide or harm to others.

2. Principles

The practice follows these core safeguarding principles:

·       Safety is prioritised over confidentiality when risk of serious harm exists

·       The least intrusive intervention will be used where possible 

·       Information sharing will be necessary, proportionate, and justified

·       Clients will be involved in decisions whenever safe to do so

·       Accurate factual records will be kept

·       Decisions will be defensible and evidence‑based

3. Legal & Professional Framework

This practice operates under: - Care Act 2014 (adult safeguarding duties) - Mental Capacity Act 2005 - UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018 - Human Rights Act 1998 - Common law duty of care

Lawful basis for processing safeguarding information: - Article 6(1)(c) Legal obligation - Article 6(1)(d) Vital interests - Article 9(2)(g) Safeguarding substantial public interest - Article 9(2)(h) Health care provision

4. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Concerns may include: - Suicide risk or self‑harm - Harm to others - Abuse or neglect - Coercion or exploitation - Domestic abuse - Significant deterioration in mental capacity - Missing client following risk disclosure

5. Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Confidentiality is fundamental but not absolute. Information may be shared without consent where:

·       There is risk of serious harm to the client or others

·       Safeguarding duties apply

·       Required by law or court order

Where safe and appropriate, the client will be informed before information is shared. Only the minimum necessary information will be disclosed.

6. Safeguarding Escalation Pathway

·       Assess immediate risk

·       Attempt collaborative safety planning

·       Seek consent to share information

·       If consent refused and risk remains, share proportionately

·       Consult safeguarding supervisor where possible

·       Contact appropriate services - GP, crisis team, adult social care, police / emergency services

·       Record all actions same day

7. Record Keeping

The practice maintains a safeguarding audit trail including:

·       Same‑day clinical record

·       Safeguarding concern form

·       Information sharing log

·       Chronology log

·       Decision rationale record

Records are: - Factual and relevant - Stored securely - Access restricted - Retained minimum 7 years after last contact - Stored separately from routine therapy notes where appropriate

8. Mental Capacity Considerations

Where capacity is in doubt, decisions will be made in the client’s best interests and may override refusal of consent if serious harm risk exists.

9. Supervision & Consultation

Safeguarding decisions should be discussed with a supervisor when practicable. In emergencies, action must not be delayed.

10. Client Information

Clients are informed at assessment that confidentiality may be breached if serious risk arises. This is documented in the counselling agreement and privacy notice.

11. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed every 12 months or after a safeguarding incident.

Policy Owner: Happy Minds Group Limited        Date: 12/01/2026       Review Date: 12/01/2027