Our Privacy Policy

Privacy and Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and safeguarding for all our clients. This policy outlines our commitment to informed consent, confidentiality, and the actions we take to ensure the safety and welfare of our clients and others.

Informed Consent and Confidentiality

We work with our clients based on their informed consent and agreement. However, we recognise that there may be exceptional situations where prioritising the safety of the client or others may require us to override the client’s wishes and confidentiality.

Exceptional Circumstances

In exceptional circumstances, the need to safeguard our clients or others from serious harm may necessitate overriding our commitment to maintaining our client’s wishes and confidentiality as our primary concern. In such cases, we may need to support investigations or actions necessary to prevent serious harm. In these situations, we will strive to ensure the aspects of our client’s wishes and confidences that can remain intact are respected while still taking necessary actions to prevent serious harm.

Foreseeable Limitations

Clients will be informed in advance about any reasonably foreseeable limitations of privacy or confidentiality, such as:

• Communications to ensure or enhance the quality of work in supervision or training.

• Actions taken to protect a client or others from serious harm, including safeguarding commitments.

• Disclosures required or authorised by law.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding includes all actions taken to enhance the health, development, and welfare of clients, especially children and vulnerable individuals, to prevent the risk of harm. This encompasses a broad range of measures to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.

Confidentiality and Legal Compliance

We maintain strict confidentiality within the client/counsellor/therapist relationship, provided that such confidentiality does not conflict with the safety of the client, the client’s family members, other members of the public, or the therapist’s own safety. Confidentiality will be maintained unless it is overridden by legal requirements, such as:

• Criminal, coroner, or civil court cases where a court order is made demanding disclosure.

• Other legal obligations (e.g., Children Acts).

Working with Minors and Vulnerable Individuals

When working with minors or those classified as persons with special needs or vulnerabilities, we diligently follow any required escalation processes. In private practice, any concern of risk of harm will be escalated to the appropriate parties, including parents, legal guardians, and/or General Practitioners, ambulance service or police.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact us at hello@oliptherapy.co.uk