Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
Practice Name: The Attuned Room Psychotherapy
Practitioner: Heidi McCallion, Integrative Psychotherapist
Professional Registrations: Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and registered with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
Practice Location: Pure Offices, 1 Devon Way, Longbridge, Birmingham, B31 2TS
Scope of Practice: In-person psychotherapy in South Birmingham and online psychotherapy for clients across the UK
Website: www.theattunedroom.co.uk
Email: heidi@theattunedroom.co.uk
Policy Review Date: November 2027
1. Statement of Commitment
I am committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people under the age of 18 who access my therapeutic services.
My practice is guided by relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, alongside the ethical and professional standards of the BACP and UKCP.
For children living in Birmingham, I follow the procedures of the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership, including the Right Help, Right Time threshold guidance.
For children accessing therapy online or living outside Birmingham, whether in neighbouring local authorities or further afield, I follow the safeguarding procedures relevant to the child’s location and contact the appropriate local authority Children’s Services if safeguarding concerns arise.
2. Confidentiality and Safeguarding
Confidentiality is an important part of building a trusting therapeutic relationship, particularly when working with children and teenagers.
I aim to provide a space where young people feel comfortable expressing themselves without worrying that everything they share will automatically be passed on to their parents, carers or other professionals.
However, confidentiality has limits, and I have a professional responsibility to act when there are concerns about safety or wellbeing.
Information may need to be shared when:
A child or young person is experiencing, or may be at risk of, significant harm, including abuse, neglect or exploitation.
There is a serious concern about a young person's safety, including significant risk of self-harm or suicide.
Another person may be at risk of serious harm.
Disclosure is required by law or an applicable court order.
Information sharing is otherwise necessary and proportionate to protect a child or young person.
Any information shared will be limited to what is relevant and necessary for safeguarding purposes.
Communication with Parents and Carers
Wherever it is safe and appropriate, I will discuss safeguarding concerns with the child or young person and involve their parents or carers in deciding the next steps.
However, there may be circumstances where informing a parent or carer could increase the risk of harm, compromise an investigation or prevent a child from receiving appropriate protection. In these situations, I may contact statutory safeguarding services without informing the family beforehand.
I recognise the developing autonomy of children and young people and consider their age, understanding, capacity and wishes when making decisions about confidentiality and parental involvement.
For young people aged 16 and 17, and children under 16 who are assessed as Gillick competent, their views and decisions about sharing information will be respected wherever possible, subject to safeguarding responsibilities and relevant legal requirements.
3. Safeguarding Arrangements for In-Person Therapy in Birmingham
In-person therapy takes place at my consulting rooms in Longbridge, Birmingham.
Where a safeguarding concern arises involving a child or young person living in Birmingham, I will follow the procedures of the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Birmingham Children's Trust
The Children's Advice and Support Service (CASS) is the main point of contact for professionals wishing to discuss concerns about a child's welfare or make a safeguarding referral.
Children's Advice and Support Service (CASS)
Telephone: 0121 303 1888
Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 5:15pm
Friday: 8:45am to 4:15pm
Emergency Duty Team (outside office hours)
Telephone: 0121 675 4806
Where a child is at immediate risk of serious harm, I will contact the emergency services on 999.
I will use Birmingham's Right Help, Right Time guidance to inform decisions about appropriate levels of support, including Early Help and statutory safeguarding referrals.
Where a child attends my Birmingham consulting room but lives in another local authority area, I will consider the appropriate safeguarding referral route based on their home address, current location and the nature of the concern. I will seek advice from the relevant Children's Services where necessary.
4. Safeguarding Arrangements for Online Therapy
Online therapy allows children and young people to access support from outside Birmingham. It is therefore important that safeguarding arrangements reflect the location of the child.
Location and Emergency Contact Information
Before commencing online therapy with a child or young person, I will obtain:
Their usual home address and relevant contact information.
Details of their parent, carer or responsible adult, as appropriate.
An agreed emergency contact.
Information about any relevant professionals or services already involved in their care.
At the beginning of online sessions, I will confirm the young person's current location where necessary, particularly if they are attending from somewhere other than their usual address.
Safeguarding Concerns Outside Birmingham
If a safeguarding concern arises during online therapy involving a child living outside Birmingham, I will contact the relevant local authority Children's Services or safeguarding referral service for the area in which the child lives or is currently located, as appropriate.
This may include a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Children's Social Care, a Children's Services referral team or an equivalent safeguarding service.
For children living in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, I will follow the relevant national and local safeguarding arrangements.
If there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, I will contact emergency services on 999, regardless of the child's location.
Privacy and Safety During Online Sessions
Children and young people should attend online sessions from a private, appropriate and safe environment wherever possible.
I will discuss privacy arrangements with the young person and their parent or carer before online therapy begins.
If the young person cannot access a suitable private space, we will consider whether online therapy is appropriate or whether alternative arrangements are needed.
Technical Difficulties and Emergencies
If an online session is unexpectedly disconnected, I will attempt to reconnect using the agreed method.
If the disconnection occurs during a safeguarding concern or situation involving immediate risk, I will use the agreed emergency contact arrangements.
Where I have serious concerns about a young person's immediate safety and cannot establish contact, I may contact emergency services and provide relevant location and contact information.
Online sessions are not routinely recorded. Any recording would require prior agreement and appropriate consent and data protection arrangements.
5. Safeguarding Procedures and Responding to Concerns
If a child or young person discloses abuse, neglect or another safeguarding concern, or if concerns arise through my clinical observations, I will take the following steps.
Listen and Respond
I will listen carefully, remain calm and take the child's concerns seriously.
I will avoid asking leading questions, investigating allegations myself or making promises of absolute confidentiality.
Where appropriate, I will explain what may need to happen next and reassure the young person that their concerns are being taken seriously.
Record
I will make a timely, factual and accurate record of the concern, including relevant observations, the young person's own words where possible, any actions taken and the reasons for decisions.
Safeguarding records will be stored securely in accordance with my data protection and record-keeping procedures.
Assess and Refer
I will consider the nature and seriousness of the concern, relevant safeguarding thresholds and whether immediate protective action is required.
Where appropriate, I will seek advice or make a referral to the relevant local authority Children's Services.
For Birmingham residents, this will usually be through Birmingham Children's Trust CASS.
For children living elsewhere, I will contact the relevant local authority safeguarding service.
I will not delay an urgent safeguarding referral while waiting for clinical supervision or parental agreement.
Consultation and Clinical Supervision
Safeguarding concerns and decisions will be discussed in clinical supervision where appropriate, with due regard to confidentiality and the need for timely action.
Clinical supervision supports professional reflection and decision-making but does not replace my responsibility to act promptly when a child may be at risk.
Follow-Up and Escalation
Where a referral has been made, I will maintain appropriate records of the referral and any response received.
If I remain concerned about a child's safety following a decision by Children's Services, I will seek further advice and follow the relevant local safeguarding escalation procedures.
6. Working with Parents, Carers and Other Professionals
Safeguarding children and young people often involves working collaboratively with the adults and professionals around them.
With appropriate consent, and where clinically suitable, I may communicate with parents, carers, schools, GPs, social workers or other professionals to support a child's wellbeing.
This may include attending multi-agency or Team Around the Child meetings by prior agreement.
Where a safeguarding concern requires information to be shared without consent, I will follow relevant safeguarding and data protection guidance.
I will aim to ensure that the child's voice, wishes and experiences remain central to any decisions made about their care and safety.
7. In-Person Session Safety and Collection Arrangements
For children attending therapy in person, appropriate arrangements will be agreed with parents or carers regarding arrival, collection and emergency contact.
The level of adult supervision or availability required will take account of the child's age, developmental needs, independence and any identified risks.
Parents and carers must provide accurate contact details and inform me of any changes to agreed collection arrangements.
Where another adult is authorised to collect a child, this must be agreed in advance. Appropriate identity verification arrangements may be used where necessary.
My consulting environment will be maintained with consideration for the physical and emotional safety of children and young people.
8. Professional Standards and Accountability
As an independent psychotherapist, I am responsible for maintaining appropriate professional standards and safeguarding arrangements within my practice.
These include:
Maintaining professional registration and practising in accordance with the ethical frameworks of the BACP and UKCP.
Undertaking regular clinical supervision.
Maintaining appropriate safeguarding knowledge and completing relevant continuing professional development.
Maintaining appropriate DBS clearance for work with children and young people.
Holding professional indemnity insurance appropriate to my scope of practice.
Maintaining secure clinical records and complying with relevant data protection requirements.
Keeping safeguarding and emergency procedures under review.
Maintaining appropriate arrangements for professional continuity in the event of unexpected absence or incapacity.
Any allegation or safeguarding concern relating to my own professional conduct will be addressed through the appropriate statutory, professional and local safeguarding procedures, including consultation with the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where applicable.
9. Data Protection and Safeguarding Information
Personal and clinical information is handled in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and my practice Privacy Policy.
Where safeguarding information needs to be shared, I will consider the appropriate lawful basis, necessity and proportionality of the disclosure.
Consent is not always required to share information where there is a lawful and necessary safeguarding reason to do so.
Safeguarding records and relevant communications will be securely maintained, with access limited to those who have a legitimate reason to receive the information.
Further information about how personal data is collected, stored and processed can be found in The Attuned Room Psychotherapy Privacy Policy.
10. Contact Information and Safeguarding Support
If you are a parent, carer, young person or professional with questions about this policy or concerns relating to my practice, please contact me.
Heidi McCallion
The Attuned Room Psychotherapy
Email: heidi@theattunedroom.co.uk
Telephone: 07533 854905
Website: www.theattunedroom.co.uk
Birmingham Safeguarding Contacts
Birmingham Children's Trust CASS
0121 303 1888
Emergency Duty Team
0121 675 4806
Emergency Services
999
National Support
NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
Childline
0800 1111
For children and young people living outside Birmingham, safeguarding concerns should be directed to the relevant local authority Children's Services.
If a child or another person is in immediate danger, call 999.
11. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed at least annually, or sooner where there are changes to relevant legislation, statutory guidance, professional requirements or practice arrangements.
Policy Owner: Heidi McCallion
Practice: The Attuned Room Psychotherapy
Next Review: November 2027