Calming Path Therapy

SAFEGUARDING POLICY Last updated: 22 August 2026

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1. Purpose of this policy

Calming Path Therapy is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and non-judgmental environment for everyone who uses the service.

Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live safely and free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and avoidable harm. This policy explains how safeguarding concerns will be recognised, recorded and responded to during online sessions, face-to-face appointments and home visits.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns will always be taken seriously and addressed with sensitivity, care, and appropriate professional judgement.

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2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Clients receiving hypnotherapy or consultation services

• Prospective clients making enquiries

• People who may be mentioned during a client’s sessions

• Children or adults who may be affected by information disclosed during the therapeutic work

• Online, face-to-face, and home-visit appointments

Calming Path Therapy primarily provides services to adults aged 18 and over. However, a safeguarding concern involving a child may become known through a client’s disclosure. Such concerns will be handled in accordance with child safeguarding procedures.

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3. Safeguarding Lead

As a sole practitioner, Duane Barrington Fowler is responsible for safeguarding within Calming Path Therapy.

The Safeguarding Lead is responsible for:

• Responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns

• Assessing whether immediate action or referral is required

• Maintaining clear and confidential safeguarding records

• Seeking professional safeguarding advice when necessary

• Contacting the appropriate safeguarding authority or emergency service

• Reviewing this policy and keeping safeguarding knowledge current

Safeguarding decisions may be discussed confidentially with an appropriate supervisor, insurer, professional body, or safeguarding service where guidance is needed.

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4. Adults at risk

Under the Care Act 2014, adult safeguarding duties apply where an adult:

• Has needs for care and support, whether or not those needs are currently being met

• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect

• Is unable to protect themselves because of those care and support needs

Not every adult experiencing difficulty is legally considered an “adult at risk." However, concerns about any client’s immediate safety or well-being will still be taken seriously.

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5. Children and young people

A child is anyone under the age of 18.

The welfare and safety of a child will take priority if information suggests that they may be experiencing, or be at risk of:

• Physical abuse

• Emotional abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Neglect

• Domestic abuse

• Exploitation

• Grooming

• Online harm

• Trafficking or modern slavery

It is not the responsibility of Calming Path Therapy to investigate whether abuse has occurred. The responsibility is to recognise the concern, make an accurate record, and share it with the appropriate safeguarding authority when necessary.

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6. Forms of abuse and neglect

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Psychological or emotional abuse

• Domestic abuse

• Financial or material abuse

• Discriminatory abuse

• Organisational abuse

• Neglect or acts of omission

• Self-neglect

• Modern slavery, trafficking, or exploitation

• Coercive or controlling behaviour

• Abuse taking place online or through digital communication

Abuse may be a single incident or a repeated pattern. It may be carried out by a relative, partner, friend, carer, professional, organisation or stranger.

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7. Responding to a disclosure or concern

If a client discloses abuse, neglect, or a risk of serious harm, I will:

1. Listen calmly and give the person time to speak.

2. Take what they say seriously without expressing disbelief or judgement.

3. Avoid asking leading questions or attempting to investigate.

4. Explain that complete confidentiality cannot be promised where someone may be at serious risk.

5. Establish whether anyone is in immediate danger.

6. Record the concern as soon as possible, including the person’s own words where appropriate.

7. Consider the person’s wishes, safety, capacity, and individual circumstances.

8. Seek safeguarding advice or make a referral when necessary.

9. Share only information that is relevant and necessary.

I will not confront an alleged abuser or place the client, another person, or myself at further risk.

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8. Immediate danger

If someone is in immediate danger, requires urgent medical assistance, or there is an immediate risk of serious harm, I will contact the emergency services by calling 999.

Where possible and safe, I will explain this action to the person concerned. However, emergency action will not be delayed if doing so could place someone at greater risk.

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9. Consent and information sharing

Confidentiality is an important part of the therapeutic relationship, but it is not absolute.

Where appropriate, I will discuss a safeguarding concern with the client and seek their agreement before sharing information. Their views, wishes, and desired outcomes will be considered wherever possible.

Information may be shared without consent when there is a lawful and proportionate reason, including where:

• A child may be experiencing or at risk of harm

• An adult is at risk of serious abuse or neglect

• Other people may be at risk

• A serious crime may have been committed

• The person may lack the capacity to make the relevant decision

• There is an immediate risk to life or safety

• Disclosure is required by law or a court

Only relevant information will be shared, and the reason for the decision will be recorded. Data protection law does not prevent necessary and proportionate information sharing for safeguarding purposes.

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10. Recording safeguarding concerns

Safeguarding records will be:

• Written as soon as reasonably possible

• Factual, clear, and dated

• Based on what was seen, heard, or disclosed

• Kept separate from general session notes where appropriate

• Stored securely and protected from unauthorised access

• Retained only for as long as necessary, taking account of legal, safeguarding, insurance, and professional requirements

Records may include:

• The nature of the concern

• The person’s own words

• Relevant observations

• Any immediate action taken

• Advice received

• Information shared and with whom

• Whether consent was obtained

• The reason for sharing information without consent

• Decisions made and the reasons for them

Information will be handled in accordance with the Calming Path Therapy Privacy Policy.

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11. Online appointments

For online appointments, I may confirm:

• The client’s current location

• A telephone number where they can be reached

• An emergency contact, where appropriate

• The local authority area in which the client is located

This information may be needed if an emergency occurs during an online session. Clients are encouraged to attend online appointments from a private and physically safe location.

If a safeguarding concern involves a client outside Sutton, the relevant local authority safeguarding service for the client’s location will normally be contacted.

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12. Home visits

Before undertaking a home visit, consideration will be given to the safety and suitability of the appointment.

Professional boundaries will be maintained throughout the visit. I reserve the right to end or leave an appointment if the environment becomes unsafe, threatening, or otherwise unsuitable.

If a safeguarding concern becomes apparent during a home visit, I will prioritise immediate safety and follow the reporting procedures contained in this policy.

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13. Concerns about the practitioner

If a safeguarding concern or allegation relates to Duane Barrington Fowler or the conduct of Calming Path Therapy, the person raising the concern may contact the relevant local authority safeguarding service or the police directly.

Where an allegation concerns harm to a child by someone who works with children, it may also need to be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer.

Any allegation will be taken seriously and handled in accordance with safeguarding, insurance, and professional requirements.

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14. Professional boundaries and safe practice

Calming Path Therapy is committed to:

• Maintaining appropriate therapeutic boundaries

• Treating every client with dignity and respect

• Avoiding discrimination, exploitation, or misuse of professional trust

• Working within the limits of professional competence

• Seeking supervision, advice, or referral when appropriate

• Keeping safeguarding knowledge and procedures under review

• Referring clients to other services when their needs fall outside the scope of hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy is not an emergency or crisis service. Where a client requires urgent medical, psychiatric, or crisis intervention, an appropriate emergency or specialist service should be contacted.

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15. Reporting concerns in Sutton

Immediate danger

Call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger or requires urgent assistance.

Concerns about an adult

London Borough of Sutton Adult Safeguarding

• Telephone: 020 8770 6770

• Out of hours: 020 8770 5000

• Online reporting: Report abuse of an adult

Concerns about a child

Sutton Children’s First Contact Service

• Telephone, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm: 020 8770 6001

• Out of hours and weekends: 020 8770 5000

• Online reporting: Report a concern about a child

If the person lives outside the London Borough of Sutton, the safeguarding service for the local authority where they live will normally be contacted.

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16. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if:

• Safeguarding legislation or guidance changes

• The services provided by Calming Path Therapy change

• A safeguarding incident identifies a need for improvement

• Professional or insurance requirements change

Policy owner: Duane Barrington Fowler
Business: Calming Path Therapy
Email: duane@calmingpaththerapy.co.uk

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