UNMASKING MINDS ADHD CLINIC

Safeguarding Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out Unmasking Minds ADHD Clinic’s commitment to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk.

Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, and enabling them to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect.

This policy ensures that safeguarding concerns are recognised, responded to appropriately, and managed in line with legal and regulatory requirements.

2. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is informed by relevant legislation and guidance, including:

Care Act 2014

Children Act 1989 and 2004

Working Together to Safeguard Children

Mental Capacity Act 2005

Equality Act 2010

Modern Slavery Act 2015

Relevant legislation reference:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/47/contents

This policy should be read alongside:

Modern Slavery Policy

Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Whistleblowing Policy

Complaints Policy

3. Our Safeguarding Principles

We are committed to:

Promoting a culture of safety, openness, and accountability

Taking all safeguarding concerns seriously

Acting promptly and proportionately

Working in partnership with relevant agencies

Respecting dignity, choice, and independence

Ensuring safeguarding practice is person-centred

Safeguarding responses will always be proportionate to the level of risk.

4. What Is Safeguarding

Safeguarding includes protecting individuals from:

Physical abuse

Emotional or psychological abuse

Sexual abuse

Financial or material abuse

Neglect and acts of omission

Discriminatory abuse

Domestic abuse

Modern slavery and exploitation

Self-neglect

Abuse may be intentional or unintentional and may occur in any setting, including online environments.

5. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise through:

Direct disclosure from a client

Observations of behaviour or physical indicators

Concerns raised by family members or professionals

Information shared by other agencies

All concerns will be taken seriously, even where uncertainty exists.

6. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

If a safeguarding concern is identified:

Immediate action will be taken if there is risk of harm

The concern will be recorded accurately and promptly

The Registered Manager will be informed without delay

Appropriate referrals will be made to safeguarding teams, local authorities, or emergency services where required

Unmasking Minds ADHD Clinic will not investigate safeguarding concerns independently. We will cooperate fully with statutory agencies and follow local safeguarding procedures.

Where there is immediate danger, emergency services will be contacted.

7. Safeguarding and Mental Capacity

Safeguarding responses will consider mental capacity in line with the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Where a person lacks capacity to make decisions about their safety:

Actions will be taken in their best interests

The least restrictive approach will be used

Decision-making will be documented clearly

Capacity assessments will be decision-specific and proportionate.

8. Whistleblowing and Raising Concerns

All staff, clinicians, prescribers, contractors, and associates are encouraged to raise safeguarding concerns or unsafe practice without fear of reprisal.

Concerns may be raised:

Internally with the Registered Manager

Through whistleblowing procedures

Directly with external bodies such as the local authority or Care Quality Commission

A culture of openness and accountability is actively promoted.

9. Roles and Responsibilities

Registered Manager

The Registered Manager has overall responsibility for safeguarding, including:

Ensuring concerns are acted upon appropriately

Maintaining accurate safeguarding records

Liaising with external agencies

Ensuring safeguarding policies are implemented and reviewed

Ensuring appropriate training is completed

All Staff and Associates

All staff and professionals must:

Remain alert to safeguarding risks

Report concerns immediately

Follow safeguarding procedures

Maintain professional boundaries

Document concerns accurately

Failure to follow safeguarding procedures may result in review or termination of engagement.

10. Training and Awareness

Safeguarding training will be completed at an appropriate level and refreshed regularly.

Training ensures that all individuals involved in service delivery:

Understand safeguarding responsibilities

Can recognise signs of abuse

Know how to report concerns

Understand escalation procedures

Safeguarding training forms part of mandatory compliance training.

11. Recording and Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns will be:

Recorded clearly and factually

Stored securely within authorised systems

Shared strictly on a need-to-know basis

Information will be handled in accordance with UK GDPR and data protection requirements.

Confidentiality will be maintained unless there is a legal or safety obligation to share information.

12. Publication and Accessibility

This policy is:

Included in staff onboarding packs

Included in client onboarding materials

Available within the company CRM

Available upon request

Transparency forms part of our safeguarding governance approach.

13. Policy Review

This policy is reviewed regularly to ensure it remains effective, up to date, and compliant with legislation and best practice.

Policy Created: 27/01/2026
Next Review Date: 27/01/2027
Approved By: Kathryn Wheatman, Director
Organisation: Unmasking Minds ADHD Clinic