Safeguarding Policy and Procedure

Organisation: Lewisham Counselling and Counsellor Training Associates LLP (LC&CTA)
Policy Owner: Directors of LC&CTA
Review Frequency: Annually or sooner if required
Date Implemented: [Insert Date]

1. Policy Statement and Commitment

LC&CTA recognises safeguarding as a fundamental responsibility within counsellor education and professional training.

As a counselling training provider, we have a responsibility not only to support our students, but also to protect clients, placement providers, members of the public and the integrity of the counselling profession.

Safeguarding is embedded throughout our training processes and informs our approach to admissions, teaching, supervision, placement, assessment, progression and professional conduct.

LC&CTA is committed to ensuring that concerns relating to the safety, wellbeing, dignity or rights of any individual are identified, considered and responded to appropriately.

Our safeguarding approach is underpinned by:

• The protection of vulnerable individuals;
• Ethical counselling practice;
• Professional accountability;
• Appropriate boundaries;
• Reflective practice;
• Evidence-based decision-making.

2. Purpose of this Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Establish clear safeguarding responsibilities within LC&CTA;
• Ensure concerns are identified and responded to appropriately;
• Protect clients receiving counselling from trainees;
• Support students to develop safe and ethical professional practice;

Provide a framework for managing safeguarding concerns relating to students, placements or professional conduct.

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Prospective students;
• Current students;
• Tutors;
• Supervisors;
• Placement providers;
• Counselling clients accessing trainee services;
• External partners connected with LC&CTA.

4. Safeguarding Within Counsellor Training

LC&CTA recognises that counsellor training involves students working with individuals who may be experiencing vulnerability, distress or complex life circumstances.

Students must demonstrate throughout training that they understand:

• Their responsibility towards client safety;
• The limits of their competence;
• The importance of supervision;
• Appropriate professional boundaries;
• Ethical decision-making;
• The requirement to seek guidance when concerns arise.

Safeguarding is therefore considered not only in relation to immediate risk, but also in relation to professional suitability and the ability of a trainee counsellor to practise safely.

5. Student Suitability and Fitness to Practise

LC&CTA recognises that successful completion of counselling training requires more than academic achievement.

Students must demonstrate:

• Ethical awareness;
• Reflective capacity;
• Emotional maturity;
• Appropriate professional boundaries;
• Ability to respond safely to client needs;
• Willingness to engage with supervision and feedback.

Where concerns arise regarding a student’s ability to practise safely, these will be considered through appropriate processes, including:

• Tutor review;
• Supervision discussion;
• Additional support or guidance;
• Review of placement information;
• Fitness-to-practise procedures where required.

All decisions will be based on evidence and made with consideration of fairness, proportionality and client safety.

6. Placement Safeguarding Responsibilities

LC&CTA recognises the importance of safe placement experiences for both students and clients.

Students undertaking placement work are expected to:

• Practise within their level of competence;
• Maintain appropriate boundaries;
• Attend regular supervision;
• Accurately record client work;
• Raise concerns appropriately;
• Follow placement and organisational safeguarding procedures.

Placement concerns may be reviewed with the student, supervisor, placement provider and relevant LC&CTA staff where appropriate.

7. Supervision and Safeguarding

Supervision is a central safeguarding mechanism within counsellor training.

Students are expected to:

• Bring appropriate client material to supervision;
• Be honest and open regarding their practice;
• Reflect on ethical issues and risks;
• Seek support when uncertain;
• Act upon supervisory guidance.

Failure to engage appropriately with supervision or concerns regarding transparency and professional judgement may require further review.

8. Recognising and Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• Concerns regarding client safety;
• Breaches of confidentiality;
• Inappropriate professional boundaries;
• Unsafe counselling practice;
• Failure to seek supervision;
• Discriminatory or harmful behaviour;
• Concerns regarding a student’s suitability to continue training.

All safeguarding concerns will be considered carefully and proportionately.

Where appropriate, LC&CTA may:

• Seek further information;
• Consult with relevant professionals;
• Liaise with placement providers;
• Implement support plans;
• Restrict or pause practice;
• Invoke student conduct or fitness-to-practise procedures.

9. Safeguarding Decision-Making

LC&CTA is committed to ensuring safeguarding decisions are:

• Evidence-based;
• Fair;
• Transparent;
• Proportionate;
• Appropriately documented.

Decisions will take into account:

• The nature of the concern;
• Available evidence;
• Impact on clients or others;
• The student’s ability to reflect and respond;
• Professional requirements.

10. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

LC&CTA respects confidentiality and data protection responsibilities.

Information relating to safeguarding concerns will be shared only with those who need to know in order to manage the concern appropriately.

Where there is a concern regarding significant risk or potential harm, information may be shared with relevant external agencies in accordance with legal and ethical responsibilities.

11. Recording and Review

Safeguarding concerns, discussions, decisions and actions will be appropriately documented.

LC&CTA uses reflective review of safeguarding matters to identify learning opportunities and strengthen future practice.

Safeguarding considerations form part of:

• Course review meetings;
• Quality assurance processes;
• Policy development;
• Tutor reflection.

12. Continuous Improvement

LC&CTA recognises that safeguarding requires ongoing reflection and development.

The organisation regularly reviews its procedures to ensure that safeguarding remains central to the delivery of safe, ethical and professional counsellor training.

Where learning is identified from incidents, concerns or feedback, improvements will be implemented to strengthen systems and support student development.

13. Related Policies and Procedures

This policy should be read alongside:

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy;
• Complaints Procedure;
• Student Conduct Procedure;
• Fitness to Practise Procedure;
• Reasonable Adjustments Policy;
• Data Protection Policy;
• Placement Procedures.

Approved by: LC&CTA Directors