Safeguarding Policy

MySafeTherapy Ltd is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing, dignity, autonomy, and safety of all individuals who access or provide services via our platform.

We recognise that individuals seeking mental health support may experience periods of vulnerability and distress. Our safeguarding approach balances:

• Duty of care
• Respect for autonomy
• Proportional intervention
• Clear legal and ethical boundaries

This policy ensures safeguarding risks are identified early, responded to appropriately, managed by qualified humans, and documented and reviewed.

This policy aligns with:

• UK safeguarding principles
• UK GDPR & Data Protection Act 2018
• BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
• ICO guidance on online services and vulnerable users
• International digital mental-health best practice
• Platform-based duty of care standards

This policy applies to:

• All users of the MySafeTherapy platform
• All therapists, counsellors, coaches, and clinical contractors
• All employees, administrators, moderators, and support staff
• All AI-supported tools operating within the platform

Safeguarding obligations apply regardless of geography, recognising that emergency responses vary by jurisdiction.

4. Definition of Vulnerability

A vulnerable individual may include (but is not limited to) someone who:

• Expresses suicidal ideation, intent, or planning
• Discloses self-harm behaviours or urges
• Demonstrates severe emotional distress or psychological instability
• Appears unable to maintain personal safety
• Expresses feelings of being unsafe, trapped, or overwhelmed
• Is at risk due to isolation, trauma, abuse, or acute crisis

Vulnerability is contextual, temporary, and dynamic. It does not imply incapacity or diagnosis.

5. Safeguarding Principles

MySafeTherapy operates under the following principles:

MySafeTherapy implements layered safeguards, including:

7. Safeguarding Escalation & Action

Where a safeguarding concern arises, MySafeTherapy may:

1. Conduct an immediate internal risk assessment
2. Provide clear, compassionate guidance to the user
3. Encourage external or emergency support
4. Suspend or restrict AI-only features
5. Pause or limit platform access if required
6. Notify assigned therapist (where applicable)
7. Log actions securely

8. Therapist Responsibilities

Therapists using the platform must:

• Adhere to their professional ethical frameworks
• Maintain appropriate clinical boundaries
• Escalate safeguarding concerns promptly
• Avoid providing crisis services beyond scope
• Document safeguarding actions within their professional obligations

Therapists remain independent practitioners and are responsible for their clinical decisions.

Safeguarding data is:

• Treated as highly sensitive
• Accessed only by authorised personnel
• Logged and auditable

10. Review & Accountability

This policy is reviewed:

• Annually
• After any safeguarding incident
• Following platform feature changes
• Upon legal or regulatory updates

Accountability rests with the Safeguarding Lead, Senior Management, and Data Protection Officer.

Internal Workflow

1. Risk identified
2. Immediate harm-prevention messaging displayed
3. Emergency resources provided
4. Human escalation triggered
5. Incident logged
6. Post-incident review conducted

Explicit Limitation of Responsibility

MySafeTherapy:

• Does not provide crisis intervention
• Does not replace emergency services
• Does not assume responsibility for real-time emergency response

This limitation is communicated clearly to all users.

Related Policies

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• AI Policy
• User Guidelines