Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy: Reviewed: Sept 2019, Revised Date: Sept 2021, Sept 2022, Sept 2023.

The purpose and scope of this policy statement:

 Counselling Hub Wales works with children and families as part of its activities. These include: Counselling sessions, training programmes, awareness events and marketing.

 The purpose of this policy statement is: 

• to protect children and young people who receive Counselling Hub Wales services. This includes the children of adults who use our services

• to provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection. 

This policy statement applies to anyone working on behalf of Counselling Hub Wales, including senior managers and the board of trustees, counsellors, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, agency staff and students.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Wales. A summary of the key legislation and guidance is available from nspcc.org.uk/child protection.

We believe that: 

• children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind.

• we have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• the welfare of the child is paramount.

• all children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.

• some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.

• working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.    

 We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• valuing, listening to and respecting them.

• appointing a nominated child protection/safeguarding lead, a deputy child protection/safeguarding lead and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding where applicable.

• developing child protection and safeguarding policies and procedures which reflect best practice.

• using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately.

• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures.

• sharing information about child protection and safeguarding best practice with children, their families, counsellors and volunteers.

• recruiting counsellors and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.

• providing effective management for counsellors and volunteers through supervision, support,  training and quality assurance measures.

• implementing a code of conduct for counsellor and volunteers.

• using our procedures to manage any allegations against counsellors and volunteers appropriately.

• ensuring that we have effective complaints.

• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, counsellors and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.

• recording and storing information professionally and securely.

Related policies and procedures

This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies and procedures.

Contact details

 Nominated child protection lead

 Name: Donna Day

 Phone/email: 07449956655 and donna@counsellinghubwales.co.uk

Links to resources

https://www.safeguarding.wales/index.html

https://gov.wales/keeping-children-and-young-people-safe-html