Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: 23 July 2026

Introduction

I am committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive counselling environment where
clients feel able to explore their experiences with confidence and trust.
As a therapist/therapist/counsellor, I have a responsibility to promote the wellbeing and safety of
the people I work with. This Safeguarding Policy explains how I approach safeguarding
concerns and how I respond if I believe a client or another person may be at risk of harm.
This policy applies to Rachel Maisey Counselling. I provide face-to-face counselling and therapy
for adults in Scotland and online therapy for adults throughout the UK. My safeguarding
approach reflects my professional responsibilities, ethical practice, and the relevant
safeguarding expectations in the areas where my clients are located.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live safely, free from abuse, neglect,
exploitation, or harm. It includes recognising situations where someone may be vulnerable or at
increased risk and taking appropriate action to support their safety and wellbeing.
I work with adults aged 18 and over only. I recognise that some adults may be at increased risk
of harm due to circumstances such as illness, disability, mental health difficulties, age, domestic
abuse, or other factors that may affect their ability to protect themselves.

For clients based in Scotland, adult safeguarding responsibilities are guided by the Adult
Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, which provides a framework for supporting and
protecting adults who may be unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or
interests and who are at risk of harm.
For online clients living elsewhere in the UK, I will consider the relevant safeguarding
arrangements and services applicable to the client’s location.

My safeguarding responsibilities

As a therapist/therapist/counsellor/therapist/counsellor, I will:

Provide a safe, respectful and confidential counselling environment.
Listen carefully and respond appropriately to concerns about safety, abuse, neglect, or harm.
Take safeguarding concerns seriously.
Maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries.
Explain the limits of confidentiality at the beginning of therapy.
Seek professional consultation or supervision when safeguarding concerns arise.
Keep appropriate records of safeguarding concerns and actions taken.
Take reasonable steps to support a client’s safety if I become aware of a significant risk of harm.

Confidentiality and safeguarding

Confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling relationship. Information shared during
counselling is normally kept private.

However, there may be circumstances where I need to share information without your consent if
I believe:

There is a serious risk of harm to you or another person.
An adult may be at risk of harm and requires support or protection.
There is a legal requirement to disclose information.

Where possible, I will discuss any concerns with you before sharing information. However, if
doing so could increase risk or prevent appropriate support being provided, I may need to seek
advice or contact an appropriate service without prior discussion.

Recognising safeguarding concerns

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

Physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial abuse.
Neglect or self-neglect.
Domestic abuse.
Coercive control or exploitation.
Situations where a person may be at significant risk of harm.
Concerns about a person’s ability to keep themselves safe.
Concerns about serious risks to another person.

Responding to safeguarding concerns

If a safeguarding concern is identified, I will:

Listen carefully and respond with sensitivity and respect.
Consider the level of risk and any immediate safety needs.
Discuss concerns with you where appropriate.
Seek professional advice or supervision where necessary.
Contact appropriate services if I believe this is required to protect someone from serious harm.
Keep appropriate records of concerns and actions taken.

For in-person clients in Scotland, this may include contacting relevant local authority services,
NHS services, emergency services, or Police Scotland where appropriate.

For online clients elsewhere in the UK, I will consider the client’s location and may contact
relevant local services, emergency services, or other appropriate agencies if necessary.

Online counselling/therapy and safeguarding

For online counselling, I take reasonable steps to support safe and ethical practice, including:

Confirming the client’s identity and location at the start of counselling.
Asking clients to provide an emergency contact where appropriate.
Encouraging clients to attend sessions from a private and safe location.
Discussing what action may be taken if there is an immediate concern about safety.

Because online counselling may involve clients across different parts of the UK, knowing a
client’s location helps me identify the appropriate services to contact if urgent safeguarding
action is required.

Emergency Support

Rachel Maisey Counselling is not an emergency or crisis service. Counselling/therapy sessions
are not a substitute for urgent medical, psychiatric, or emergency support.

If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, believe you may harm yourself or someone else, or you
are experiencing an immediate crisis, please seek urgent support using the services below.

If you are in Scotland

If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, call:

999 – Emergency services

For urgent mental health support, contact:

NHS 24 Mental Health Hub
Call 111 and select the mental health option.

You can also contact:

Samaritans
Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of an adult who may be at risk of harm, you
can contact your local council’s Adult Support and Protection service.

If you are elsewhere in the UK
If there is an immediate risk of serious harm, call:

999 – Emergency services

For urgent mental health support, contact:
NHS 111 – urgent health advice and support (availability and services may vary depending on
location).

You can also contact:

Samaritans
Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org

If you are concerned about your own safety or the safety of another person, you can contact
your local NHS crisis team, GP, or relevant local safeguarding service.

When working online with clients across the UK, I may ask for your current location and
emergency contact details at the start of counselling so that appropriate support can be
identified if a serious safety concern arises.

Professional supervision

I undertake regular professional supervision to support safe and ethical practice. Supervision
provides a space to reflect on my work, consider safeguarding concerns, and ensure that I am
practising responsibly while maintaining client confidentiality.

Professional standards

My practice is guided by relevant professional ethical standards and my commitment to
providing safe, responsible and compassionate counselling.

Contact

If you have any questions about this Safeguarding Policy, please contact me:
Rachel Maisey MA PgDip Couns MBACP (Accred)
Email: contact@rmaiseycounselling.co.uk
Website: www.rmaiseycounselling.co.uk