Glossary
What is safeguarding?
Also called: child safeguarding, safeguarding children, child protection, DSL, designated safeguarding lead
Definition
Safeguarding means the steps adults and organisations take to protect children from abuse and neglect, prevent harm to their health or development, and act when a child may be at risk.
What it means
In England, the main statutory guidance is “Working Together to Safeguard Children”. Schools also follow “Keeping Children Safe in Education”, and every school has a designated safeguarding lead, or DSL, who handles concerns. Child protection is the part of safeguarding that deals with children who are suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. Concerns about a child can be referred to the local authority’s children’s social care team, and in an emergency to the police.
Anyone who works with children, including counsellors, has a duty to act on safeguarding concerns. Professional bodies such as the BACP require members to have clear safeguarding procedures and to get advice from their clinical supervisor when unsure.
What it can look like for your child
Mostly, it is invisible. It shows up in checks: an enhanced DBS check for the counsellor, a written agreement about what happens if there is a worry, and a counsellor who notices changes such as unexplained injuries, sudden withdrawal, worrying comments or signs of self-harm. If your child tells us something that suggests they or someone else is at serious risk, that is when safeguarding comes into play.
How counselling can help
We explain our safeguarding policy to parents, and in simple words to children, at the start. If we ever have to pass on a concern, we will usually talk to you first, unless doing so would put your child at greater risk. Children open up more easily when they know the rules in advance and that nothing will happen behind their back. Gitta is enhanced DBS checked and has regular clinical supervision.