Attached Psychology’s Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy
Thank you for viewing our Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy. Attached Psychology takes its responsibility to safeguard adults and children at risk very seriously, and is committed to safeguarding adults and children in line with national legislation and best practices. A digital copy of this policy will be shared via email with all families who seek support from Attached Psychology as part of the onboarding process (a paper copy will be posted to families when requested). The policy is available to view on our website at www.attachedpsychology.co.uk.
1. Introduction
This policy outlines Attached Psychology’s commitment to ensuring the safety, well-being, and rights of all children and young people accessing our services. It reflects our legal and ethical responsibilities under national safeguarding legislation and guidance, to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This policy is aimed at safeguarding children at risk, and ensuring that they receive services in a safe and supportive environment.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is:
To provide protection for the children and young people who receive services from Attached Psychology
To provide members, associates and trainees with guidance on procedures they should adopt in the event that they suspect a child or young person may be experiencing, or be at risk of harm
3. Statutory and Legal Framework
This policy is based on the following legislation and guidance:
The Children Act 1989 and 2004
The Care Act 2014
Care Act statutory guidance on Safeguarding in Chapter 14
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015
The Mental Capacity Act 2005
Human Rights Act 1998
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR
4. Scope
This policy applies to all members, volunteers, and associates of Attached Psychology, and covers all interactions with clients, whether in-person, online, or over the telephone. Dr Jessica Cardy is a sole trader, Clinical Psychologist, and Director of Attached Psychology. At times Dr Jessica Cardy may work in collaboration with other professionals and agencies, but there are no other employees of Attached Psychology at present. Therefore this policy applies to Dr Jessica Cardy, and provides the overarching principles that guide the approach to child protection and safeguarding at Attached Psychology.
The Professional Codes of Conduct under which Attached Psychology operates can be obtained from the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
BPS Tel: 0116 254 9568, BPS website: www.bps.org.uk/, BPS Email: enquiries@bps.org.uk
HCPC Tel: 0300 500 6184, HCPC website: hcpc-uk.org.uk
5. Definitions
Child(ren) and young person/people refers to any person under 18 years old, including pre-birth.
Member(s) refers to anyone working for or acting on behalf of Attached Psychology.
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means:
Protecting children from abuse, neglect and maltreatment
Preventing harm to children’s health or development
Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
Taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes
Abuse is defined as a violation of a person’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. Abuse can take many forms including but not limited to what is detailed below. Incidents of abuse may be singular or multiple, and affect one person or more. Abuse may also be very subtle, and professionals and others should look beyond single incidents or individuals to identify patterns of harm. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family, an institution or community setting; by those known to them, or by a stranger. The four main categories of abuse are:
Physical abuse: may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. It may also be caused by a parent or carer fabricating the symptoms of, or deliberately causing, illness in a child. Orofacial trauma occurs in at least 50% of children diagnosed with physical abuse – and a child with one injury may have further injuries that are not visible.
Emotional abuse: is the persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of the other person. It may feature:
age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children
interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability
overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning
preventing the child participating in normal social interaction
seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another
causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger
exploitation or corruption of children
Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (for example rape) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Neglect: is the persistent failure to meet the child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may occur in pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer:
Failing to provide adequate food and clothing, shelter.
Failing to protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger. • failing to ensure adequate supervision.
Failing to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
Neglect of or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs.
There are a wide range of other safeguarding concerns that can be present, that include but are not limited to:
Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE): The Home office guidance on Criminal Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults 2018 defines CCE as occurring where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Criminal exploitation of children is broader than just county lines, and includes for instance children forced to work on cannabis farms or to commit theft.
County Lines: The Home Office – Serious Violence Strategy 2018 defines County lines as a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas (within the UK), using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of ‘deal line’. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move [and store] the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons. Gangs dealing drugs is not a new issue but the extent to which criminal exploitation (often organised) of children and vulnerable adults, as well as the increasing use of violence, has become an inherent part of county lines, making it especially damaging.
Child Sexual Exploitation: The Department for Education defines child sexual exploitation as a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology (Child sexual exploitation 2017).
Child Trafficking is the recruitment and movement of children for the purpose of exploitation; it is a form of child abuse. Children may be trafficked within the Country, or from abroad. It overlaps with Sexual Exploitation and Private Fostering. Children may be trafficked for:
sexual exploitation
labour exploitation
domestic servitude
criminal activity
benefit fraud
forced marriage
moving drugs
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): The World Health Organisation states FGM comprises of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genital organs or any other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is illegal to carry out FGM in the UK. It is also a criminal offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to perform FGM overseas or take their child abroad to have FGM carried out: Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.
Self Harm: Self-harm is a broad term that can be used to describe a variety of behaviours that lead to physical harm to oneself. Many describe their self-harm as a way to release overwhelming emotions. Some people plan it in advance, others act on the spur of the moment. Actions can include cutting or scratching the skin, overdose of tablets or other toxins, tying ligatures around the neck, punching oneself, banging limbs/head, and hair pulling. It may also include risk taking behaviours where the child or young person has less regard for their own safety and there is a risk of physical harm.
Suicide and Suicide Ideation: Suicide is the act of ending one’s life intentionally. Reasons for this may include not seeing any other way forward, feeling that others would be better off without them, feeling that it would be better not to be alive any more. Males are around 3 times more likely to die from suicide than females. Suicidal Ideations (SI), often called suicidal thoughts or ideas, is a broad term used to describe a range of contemplations, wishes, and preoccupations with death and suicide.
Safeguarding Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism (Prevent Duty): Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should be seen as part of our wider safeguarding duties. Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms of extremism. There is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to an extremist ideology.
Under-age/Forced Marriages: In England and Wales, a young person cannot legally marry until they are 18 years old or more (The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022). Forced marriage is illegal under the Forced Marriage Act (2007) which enables victims of forced marriage to apply for court orders for their protection or marriage termination. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 made it a criminal offence in England, Wales and Scotland, to force someone to marry. (It is a criminal offence in Northern Ireland under separate legislation).
Ritualistic Abuse: Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people (including children). What should never be condoned is the use of any physical violence to remove the possessing spirit. This is physical abuse, and people can be prosecuted even if it was their intention to help the child.
6. Roles and Responsibilities
Safeguarding Lead: Dr Jessica Cardy is Attached Psychology’s safeguarding lead, and is responsible for overseeing safeguarding practices, training, and managing any allegations or concerns.
All Members: Responsible for understanding the safeguarding policy, recognizing signs of abuse, and reporting concerns. All members of Attached Psychology will be responsible for:
Always remaining alert to the possibility of abuse
Taking action to identify and prevent abuse from happening
Responding appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred
Ensuring that the agreed safeguarding procedures are followed at all times, including discussing any concerns with the Safeguarding Lead, Dr Jessica Cardy
Working collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of people who use services
Keeping up to date with any local or national issues relating to safeguarding
Participating in safeguarding training and maintaining current working knowledge
Understanding how diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services may influence the identification, prevention and response to safeguarding concerns
Ensuring that information is available for people that use Attached Psychology services, setting out what to do if they have a safeguarding or child protection concern
Ensure that all members who come in contact with those at risk have an enhanced DBS check that is kept up to date as mandated. All members will have provided appropriate professional and personal references during the onboarding process to Attached Psychology.
7. Partnership Working with Families
Attached Psychology actively promotes a safeguarding culture where members, children, young people, and their families treat each other with respect and are comfortable sharing concerns. Attached Psychology values children and young people’s experiences and commits to listening to and respecting them. This includes creating a safe space for them to share their experiences, thoughts and wishes. Attached Psychology supports children, young people, and their families to understand our safeguarding processes and responsibilities, and helps them to know what will happen next. Families are encouraged to work in partnership with Attached Psychology to address any safeguarding concerns.
We provide clear routes and procedures for parents, children and young people to voice their concerns so they understand where they can go to for help. As a minimum this includes:
Details of safeguarding processes and procedures within the consent form at the start of work;
Discussion with lead clinician during first session/s of a new therapy plan;
Safeguarding processes and policies are available on our website, and can be shared via email on request.
Attached Psychology will share information about child protection and safeguarding concerns with agencies who need to know. We aim to notify and involve parents, children and young people in this process as fully as possible. The only reasons we may share information with another agency before sharing with a family are:
Urgency - immediate risk to life or serious injury
Sharing information with a family member may increase the risks to the child or young person
Current legislation (Mental Capacity Act 2005) assumes that all individuals over the age of 16 have the ability to make their own decisions unless it has been proven they are unable to. This gives the right to individuals to make decisions even if others consider them to be unwise. In order for individuals to make decisions they need to:
Understand Information
Remember it for long enough
Think about the information
Communicate their decision
A person’s ability to do this may be affected by various factors including but not exclusive to: a learning disability, mental ill health, or brain injury. The vast majority of individuals can make their own decisions with the right support however, those with care and support needs may need others to make decisions about them and for them. A small proportion of individuals cannot make any decisions and are deemed to lack capacity. Mental Capacity refers to the ability to make a decision at the time the decision was needed therefore, a person’s mental capacity can change. It is best practice if safe/possible to wait until an individual can be involved in decision making or make a decision for themselves.
When a young person over the age of 16 has been assessed as lacking mental capacity, there may be many different people and agencies involved in making decisions on their behalf, depending on the complexity of the situation. This includes parents, medical and educational professionals and other agencies.
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) provides a clear framework for parents on who should be consulted in the decision-making process, and in what circumstances. It is also important to note young people should be consulted with and have an active role in decision making when safeguarding concerns arise that impact upon their safety, health and development. This does however, have to be balanced with a duty of care to keep them safe therefore, there may be occasions when limited involvement takes place i.e. discussing concerns with them may increase the risk of harm e.g. absconding/suicide.
8. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Prior to any therapeutic work commencing, the limits of confidentiality should be clearly explained to the child and their parents/carers. This is a crucial part of the onboarding process and should be completed at the outset of the work and is in accordance with Working Together 2018, Data Protection Act 1998, and General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018. The Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR 2018 do not prohibit the collection or sharing of personal information, but rather provide a framework to ensure that personal information is shared appropriately. In particular, the Data Protection Act 2018 balances the rights of the information subject (the individual whom the information is about) and the possible need to share information about them.
Confidentiality means Attached Psychology will keep all personal and sensitive information about a child or young person that is shared either by themselves or others, safe and private. There are instances where Attached Psychology cannot keep information confidential as we need to ensure all children and young people are safe. Should information become available that indicates a child or young person is being harmed or at risk of being harmed then Attached Psychology will inform the relevant authorities. The duty to safeguard children and young people and share information about child protection concerns takes priority over all other considerations, including the confidential nature of the therapeutic relationships Attached Psychology may have developed. Attached Psychology will record and securely store information in line with data protection legislation and guidance (see separate policies for details).
9. Reporting and Responding to Concerns
It is important to identify an abusive situation as early as possible so that the individual can be protected. Withholding information may lead to abuse not being dealt with in a timely manner. Confidentiality must never be confused with secrecy. Members have a duty to share information relating to suspected abuse with Social Care. Consent is not required to breach confidentiality (capacity issues must be considered) and make a safeguarding referral where:
• A serious crime has been committed.
• The alleged perpetrator may go on to abuse others.
• Other vulnerable adults or children are at risk in some way.
• The adult or child is deemed to be in serious risk.
• The public interest overrides the interest of the individual.
• A member of staff of a statutory service, a private or voluntary service or a volunteer is the person accused of abuse, malpractice or poor professional standards.
If a member has any doubt about the legality of sharing information, they must in the first instance consult the safeguarding lead.
Attached Psychology responds swiftly and appropriately to all suspicions and allegations of abuse. All safeguarding concerns must be discussed with the Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours. A written record must be added to the family file. With support from the Safeguarding Lead, information may be shared with other agencies and bodies, in line with our organisational and national safeguarding duties. This includes, but is not limited to:
The organisation commissioning our services (e.g. adoption agency, Local Authority);
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH);
Police;
GP or colleagues in Health;
Educational Settings.
We aim to involve the family in this information sharing process, for example by holding joint meetings or by sharing correspondence with the family as well as the professionals. Where this is not possible or appropriate, we will agree a plan around how key information and decisions will be shared with the family, and by whom.
9.1 How to respond to a child/young person who has alleged abuse and/or neglect:
If a team member suspects a child/young person is at risk, they must:
Listen carefully to the child/young person, without leading or probing;
Let the child/young person know that they may need to share this information with other parties, and will not promise that it will be kept a secret but reassure them that they have done the right thing in telling you;
Record concerns immediately, factually and accurately, in writing, including dates, times and details of the incident or disclosure. The concern or incident should be discussed with the safeguarding lead and recorded on a safeguarding log.
Specific action will be followed depending on the nature of the incident/disclosure, including by not limited to:
If at any time a member feels the person needs urgent medical assistance, they have a duty to call for an ambulance.
If a member has reason to believe the vulnerable child/young person is in immediate and serious risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called.
If raising concerns about a child/young person’s wellbeing to the Local Authority then the member will contact the child/young person’s Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). All telephone enquiries to a Local Authority must be followed up in writing so there is a written record of all key information shared. A copy of this should be uploaded onto the child/young person’s file. It is the responsibility of members to ensure that the Local Authority fully understands their concerns, and follow up a response within three days of the referral.
9.2 How to Respond to Allegations Against a Child/Young Person
Members recognise that children/young people can carry out abuse in a variety of methods, including bullying, online abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse. Any allegations made against a child, or admitted by a child, will be treated in line with our safeguarding reporting procedures as outlined above. The safeguarding lead will be notified immediately. All instances will be recorded in written format and detailed appropriately.
9.3 Responding to Concerns about Online Abuse and Bullying
Bullying, including cyberbullying, can cause significant harm to a child’s/young person’s mental and emotional well-being. Members must take all reasonable steps to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying by:
Encouraging open discussions about bullying and its effects during therapy sessions;
Providing children/young people with strategies to cope, and report bullying;
Reporting concerns of bullying to parents/carers, and relevant safeguarding authorities where necessary;
Working collaboratively with schools and other professionals to ensure bullying is addressed effectively; and
Educating children/young people on safe online behaviour and the risks associated with social media and digital communication.
9.4 Responding to Allegations Against Attached Psychology
If an allegation is made against a member of Attached Psychology, the following procedure will be followed:
All allegations against members need to be made in writing to the Director of Attached Psychology, Dr Jessica Cardy (hello@attachedpsychology.co.uk). All allegations will be investigated in full by the Director. An outside agency may be invited to oversee the investigation, depending on the nature and circumstances of the allegation;
If the allegation relates to Dr Jessica Cardy, then you should contact the Local Authority directly;
The member will be invited to a confidential meeting to discuss the issue. Support, including the option to bring a member or union representative to meetings, will be provided for members raising concerns;
If anonymity is requested, efforts will be made to protect the identity of the individual raising the concern, though this cannot always be guaranteed;
Any allegations against members will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action will be taken, which may include disciplinary measures or referrals to professional regulatory bodies;
The outcome of the concern will be communicated, although full details may not always be shared due to confidentiality obligations;
If a criminal offence is suspected, the police and relevant authorities will be informed.
9.5 Whistleblowing
If members raise a whistleblowing concern, they are protected by the law in relation to the following:
If someone’s safety is in danger;
If there is a potential miscarriage of justice;
If there is a criminal offence;
If there is a risk of damage to the environment;
If a company is breaking the law; or
If we believe someone is purposely covering up a wrong doing.
Reports can be sent directly to the relevant agency and we will abide by their whistleblowing procedures. Detailed records and notes will be maintained throughout the whistleblowing reporting process.
10. Working with Parents and Families:
Members should work in partnership with parents and those with parental responsibility, where possible, to ensure information is shared in a way that is consistent with good practice and the child's/young person’s best interests.
Parents and carers should be encouraged to share information on a need-to-know basis with other professionals who can support them in meeting the needs of their children.
Information about a family may only be shared with other agencies with the family's consent, unless there are child protection concerns that necessitate sharing the information without consent.
In situations where there are concerns about significant harm to a child/young person, Attached Psychology has a duty to make a formal referral as outlined in these safeguarding procedures. This should be done with the parent's/carer’s consent where possible, but if necessary, without their knowledge to protect the child/young person.
Young people, where appropriate, should be involved in decisions about sharing information, with consideration given to their development and level of understanding. Where a child or young person is deemed Gillick competent, their views will take precedence in any information sharing decisions.
Agencies should collaborate to support children and young people, sharing information only on a need-to-know basis with those who can help.
Attached Psychology will seek to inform parents/carers of any referral intentions, unless informing them would jeopardise the safety of the child/young person or another child/young person.
11. Communication of Child Protection Policies to Families:
Parents/carers, and independent young people, sign a terms and conditions contract at the start of engaging with our services. A signed copy of the terms and conditions is kept for record-keeping purposes.
Our privacy policy is available both for parents/carers, children/young people, and our members, should anyone be in any doubt on the process.
12. Safe Photography/Videography
To protect the privacy and welfare of children/young people, members must:
Obtain written consent from a parent, legal guardian, or carer (as applicable), before taking any photographs or recordings of a child/young person;
Clearly explain the purpose of any images or recordings and how they will be stored and used;
Ensure that images or recordings are securely stored and only accessed by authorised personnel;
Never share, publish, or distribute images or recordings of children/young people without explicit consent; and
Adhere to data protection laws, including GDPR, in handling any media involving children.
Parents/carers will complete a separate consent form for the use of photography/videography when accessing our services.
13. Use of physical touch
The nature of the therapeutic services offered by Attached Psychology includes physical touch of parents/carers and their child/young person. The use of physical touch within specific therapeutic processes will be explained to families during the onboarding process. Parents/carers will complete a separate consent form to indicate that they have understood the purposes of physical touch within the therapeutic process, and that they consent to such physical touch as part of the therapeutic services that they are accessing from Attached Psychology.
14. Monitoring and Review
We are required to review this policy every three years and to update as necessary to reflect any changes in legislation or practice guidelines. This policy was last updated in March 2026.
Key Contact Information:
Safeguarding Lead: Dr Jessica Cardy
Local safeguarding contacts for children:
Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership, Tel: 0345 155 1071
Out of hours contact number 0345 6000 388
Or submit a request for support at this address: https://www.devonscp.org.uk/make-a-request-for-support/professionals-practitioners/
National sources of support
NSPCC Helpline, Tel: 0808 800 5000 (10am - 4pm Monday to Friday),
or email: help@nspcc.org.uk, available 24/7.
Childline, Tel: 0800 1111
Policy and Procedure created: March 2026
Next review date: March 2029, or as appropriate prior to this date