Safeguarding Policy

Effective Date: January 2025

Last Reviewed: January 2026

Next Review Date: January 2027

Responsible Person: Johanna Condon, Director and Clinical Lead

1. Policy Statement

Jo Condon Autism Assessments is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and that every individual has the right to live free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or discrimination.

This policy sets out how we prevent harm, identify concerns early, and respond effectively to protect those we work with, whether our services are provided in person or online.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Protect children, young people, and adults at risk from harm or abuse.
  • Provide clear procedures for staff, contractors, and associates to follow.
  • Ensure compliance with UK safeguarding legislation and professional standards.
  • Promote a culture of openness, respect, and accountability.

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All employees, associates, students, contractors, and volunteers working with or on behalf of Jo Condon Autism Assessments.
  • All service users, including children, families, and adults.
  • All settings where services are delivered — in person, online, or by telephone.

4. Legal Framework

This policy is based on and complies with:

  • Children Act 1989 & 2004
  • Care Act 2014
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • Domestic Abuse Act 2021
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Equality Act 2010
  • UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
  • Caldicott Principles (2023)

5. Key Definitions

Child: Anyone under the age of 18.

Adult at Risk: A person aged 18 or over who:

  • Has care or support needs; and
  • Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
  • Is unable to protect themselves from harm due to those needs.

Abuse: A violation of a person’s human or civil rights by another person or persons. It may be a single act or repeated over time.

6. Types of Abuse

For Children (as per Working Together 2023):

  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse and exploitation
  • Neglect
  • Domestic abuse
  • Online abuse
  • Bullying and harassment
  • Fabricated or induced illness

For Adults (as per Care Act 2014):

  • Physical abuse
  • Domestic violence or abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Psychological or emotional abuse
  • Financial or material abuse
  • Neglect and acts of omission
  • Discriminatory abuse
  • Organisational or institutional abuse
  • Self-neglect
  • Exploitation (including modern slavery and human trafficking)

7. Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Staff should be alert to signs such as:

  • Unexplained injuries or changes in behaviour
  • Fearfulness or withdrawal
  • Deterioration in physical or mental health
  • Poor living conditions or hygiene
  • Unusual financial activity or control
  • Inappropriate relationships or isolation

All staff must respond immediately to any concerns, no matter how minor they may seem.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

All Staff and Associates

  • Must be familiar with and follow this policy.
  • Must attend safeguarding training at induction and at least every 12 months thereafter.
  • Must report concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
  • Must maintain confidentiality and accurate records.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Jo Condon, Director

  • Acts as the main contact for all safeguarding concerns.
  • Provides advice and support to staff.
  • Decides when to refer cases to local safeguarding authorities.
  • Maintains safeguarding records securely and confidentially.
  • Liaises with external agencies, e.g. Children’s Service, Adult Social Care, Police.
  • Ensures all staff are trained and policies reviewed.

9. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

If a staff member is concerned that a child or adult is at risk of harm or abuse:

  • Listen carefully — allow the person to speak freely without interruption.
  • Reassure — explain that help is available and they were right to tell you.
  • Do not promise confidentiality — explain that information may need to be shared to keep them safe.
  • Record — write down the facts as soon as possible, using the person’s own words.
  • Report immediately, discuss with the DSL, where deemed appropriate and necessary, a safeguarding referral to the relevant Local authority Safeguarding Team must be made (see section 10).
  • If a person is in immediate danger, call 999.

10. Making a Referral

Non-clinical staff

Non-clinical staff will share information with the DSL immediately. The DSL will:

  • Assess whether the concern meets the threshold for referral.
  • Contact the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team (Children’s Social Care or Adult Safeguarding).
  • Share factual, relevant, and proportionate information only.
  • Record all decisions and actions clearly.
  • Follow up verbal referrals in writing within 24 hours.

Clinical staff

Clinical staff will:

  • Assess whether the concern meets the threshold for referral (in discussion with the DSL if support / supervision is required).
  • Contact the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team (Children’s Social Care or Adult Safeguarding).
  • Share factual, relevant, and proportionate information only.
  • Record all decisions and actions clearly.
  • Inform the DSL if not already done so.
  • Follow up verbal referrals in writing within 24 hours.

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

  • Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis.
  • Consent will be sought where possible, unless it increases risk.
  • All data will be processed in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
  • All safeguarding information will be stored securely in the clinical notes.

12. Safeguarding in Online Services

The duty of care remains the same whether working in person or online with a client.

13. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

If an allegation is made that a staff member or contractor has:

  • Behaved in a way that harmed, or may harm, a child or adult;
  • Committed a criminal offence; or
  • Behaved in a way that raises safeguarding concerns — then the DSL must:
  • Inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours (for children’s cases).
  • For adult cases, contact Adult Safeguarding or the CQC as appropriate.
  • Suspend the staff member if necessary to protect individuals.
  • Record all actions and outcomes.

Staff subject to allegations will be treated fairly and supported throughout the process.

14. Safer Recruitment

Jo Condon Autism Assessments ensures that all clinical staff:

  • Have an up-to-date enhanced DBS check with barred list review (where applicable).
  • Provide at least two professional references.
  • Are verified for identity, qualifications, and right to work in the UK.
  • Have up to date safeguarding training.

15. Whistleblowing

All staff have a duty to report any safeguarding concerns or malpractice. Whistleblowers are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Concerns about colleagues or organisational practices should be reported to the DSL or Director immediately.

16. Training and Supervision

  • All staff must complete safeguarding induction training before starting work.
  • Refresher training must be completed annually.
  • The DSL will undertake advanced multi-agency safeguarding training.
  • Regular supervision and team meetings will include safeguarding discussions and learning.

17. Record Keeping and Data Retention

Records must be kept in line with the Record Keeping and Data Retention Policy.

18. Policy Review

This policy will be:

  • Reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation or guidance changes.
  • Updated after any safeguarding incident or audit.

Approved by: Jo Condon

Last Reviewed: January 2026

Next Review Date: January 2027