Keeping Everyone Safe
Everything our clients say to us, stays with us. Keeping your trust is essential to therapy being effective. However, we have a moral, ethical and legal duty to safeguard the people we work with. If you tell us something really serious, where there is an immediate risk to someone, there are things we can do to help.
Confidentiality
Adults
If you are over 18, we are not obligated to report to the authorities (except for the reasons opposite).
However if you tell us something where there is an immediate risk to human life, we may have to step in.
Children & Young People
We work with many younger clients. If we are told about a situation where there is a serious (present) risk of harm or abuse to a young person, we are legally obligated to intervene.
Counselling & The Law
We are legally required to report disclosures that may breach the Children Act 1989, Terrorism Act 2010, Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003, Drug Trafficking Act 1994 or the Money Laundering Regulations 2007.
Reporting Disclosures
In the event that a client tells us something that we have to report, as far as possible we would never go behind our client's backs. We understand that sometimes going to a parent, school, the Police or Social Services might make things worse. That's why we will always try to tell clients when we are concerned, and work with you to find the best outcome that keeps everyone safe.
We follow the BACP Ethical Framework, see here.