ONE STEP COUNSELLING AND THERAPIES C.I.C 
SAFEGUARDING POLICY 

Last Updated: February 4, 2025 

1. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE 

This Safeguarding Policy outlines One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C's commitment to protecting all individuals who engage with our services from harm, abuse, or exploitation. As an organization providing mental health and wellness services, we recognize our fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our service users, staff, volunteers, and the wider community. 

2. DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING OFFICER 

Emma-Jane Lovell serves as our Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO). In this capacity, she holds primary responsibility for all safeguarding matters within the organization. The DSO is responsible for receiving and acting upon all safeguarding concerns, maintaining appropriate records, and liaising with relevant external agencies when necessary. All safeguarding concerns must be reported to the DSO within two hours of identification. 

3. SCOPE OF POLICY 

This policy applies to all individuals working with or for One Step Counselling and Therapies C.I.C, including: 

Full-time and part-time employees 
Freelance practitioners and therapists 
Volunteers and support staff 
Directors and management team 
Students and trainees 
Service users and participants 

The policy covers all service delivery contexts, including: 

Face-to-face counselling sessions 
Online therapy services 
Group activities and workshops 
Outdoor and nature-based sessions 
Beach yoga classes 
Community events and activities 

4. SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES 

We operate under the following key principles: 

Every individual has the right to live free from abuse and harm 
All concerns about abuse will be taken seriously 
All staff have a responsibility to report safeguarding concerns 
Confidentiality will be maintained appropriately 
The wishes and feelings of service users will be respected 
Prevention is better than cure 

5. TYPES OF ABUSE 

We recognize and respond to the following forms of abuse: 

Physical Abuse: Including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate physical sanctions. 

Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Including intimidation, humiliation, harassment, threatening behavior, blaming, controlling, coercion, or verbal abuse. 

Sexual Abuse: Including rape, sexual assault, sexual acts to which the person has not consented, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, or sexual photography. 

Financial Abuse: Including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property, inheritance, or financial transactions. 

Neglect: Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health or social care, or withholding of necessities. 

Self-Neglect: Including behavior such as neglecting to care for personal hygiene, health, or surroundings. 

6. REPORTING PROCEDURES 

When abuse is suspected or disclosed, the following procedure must be followed: 

Immediate Response: 
Listen carefully and take all allegations seriously 
Remain calm and provide reassurance 
Do not promise to keep secrets 
Record facts accurately using the person's own words 
Note date, time, location, and persons present 

Reporting Process: 
Document all information using the Safeguarding Concern Form 
Contact the DSO within two hours 
Provide written documentation to the DSO 
Follow any additional instructions from the DSO 
Maintain confidentiality throughout the process 

7. ONLINE SAFEGUARDING 

For online service delivery, additional safeguarding measures include: 

Verification of client identity before each session 
Secure platform usage with end-to-end encryption 
Emergency contact information readily available 
Clear protocols for technical difficulties 
Crisis intervention procedures 
Regular platform security updates 

8. TRAINING AND SUPPORT 

All staff members and volunteers must complete: 

Initial safeguarding training before beginning work 
Annual safeguarding updates 
Specific training relevant to their role 


9. RECORD KEEPING 

All safeguarding records must be: 

Written clearly and objectively 
Dated and signed 
Stored securely in accordance with GDPR 
Accessible only to authorized personnel 
Retained for seven years 
Regularly reviewed and updated 

10. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES 

In immediate risk situations: 

Contact emergency services (999) 
Inform DSO as soon as possible 
Document all actions taken 
Follow up with appropriate support 
Complete incident report 

11. REVIEW AND MONITORING 

This policy will be reviewed: 

Annually as standard 
Following any serious incident 
When legislation changes 
When service delivery methods change 
Following feedback from staff or service users 

12. CONTACT INFORMATION 

Designated Safeguarding Officer: 
Emma-Jane Lovell 
07367273241

Emergency Services: 999 

Local Authority Safeguarding Team: 
SPOC Neath Port Talbot

01639686802

Mental Health Crisis Team: 
111 OPTION 2 OR 999

13. IMPLEMENTATION 

This policy is implemented through: 

Regular staff training and updates 
Clear reporting procedures 
Ongoing monitoring and review 
Regular supervision and support 

Signed: 
Emma-Jane Lovell 
Director and Designated Safeguarding Officer 

Date: February 4, 2025 
Next Review Date: February 4, 2026