The purpose of this policy:
- Protect children and young people who receive therapy from Emma Whelan Counselling
- Share the principles used by Emma Whelan Counselling that guide her approach to child safeguarding.
Emma Whelan Counselling operates from a position that a child, minor, or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. As a therapist, I have a responsibility to promote the welfare of children and young people and help keep them safe. I am committed to practising in a way that protects children and young people.
I recognise:
- The welfare of the child/young person is paramount
- All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse
- Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
I will seek to keep children and young people in my practice safe by:
- Valuing them, listening to them and respecting them
- Communicating with children (verbally) and parents (verbally and in writing) from the beginning of the counselling relationship about my safeguarding responsibilities and the limits of confidentiality
- Providing effective safeguarding management through supervision
- Sharing concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately.
If a safeguarding concern arises, I will:
- Speak to the parent / carer (unless it is unsafe to do so)
- Keep the child informed about who information will be shared with
- Discuss the concern with my supervisor to agree a way forward
- When necessary, share information with outside agencies such as children’s social care.