Safeguarding

Safeguarding means protecting people’s right to feel safe, respected, and supported. For us, it’s about ensuring that every session takes place in a secure, ethical, and confidential environment, where your wellbeing is always our priority.

We take safeguarding seriously by:

• Holding an enhanced DBS check to confirm safe practice.
   
• Following the BACP ( British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)  Ethical Framework, which keeps client welfare at the heart of everything we do.
   
• Being ICO registered (Ref: ZB974778), which means we handle personal data in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
   
• Maintaining professional insurance, covering both in-person and online sessions.

At Life Forge, safeguarding young people is at the heart of what we do. We hold an enhanced DBS check, follow strict safeguarding policies, and always require parental/guardian consent for under-18s.

But we go further than the basics:

• I bring years of experience working with children and young people, combined with the personal understanding that comes from being a mother myself.
   
• All of my counselling work is carried out under professional supervision, as required by the CPCAB / BACP, which means my practice is constantly reviewed and supported by qualified senior practitioners.

•  My academic training is BPS-accredited, meaning my approach is grounded in the professional standards of the British Psychological Society.
   
• Every session is carefully risk assessed and monitored to ensure your teen’s wellbeing.
   
• Above all, I make a personal promise to parents: your child’s safety will always come first. While I respect their privacy in sessions, I remain attentive, vigilant, and responsive to any safeguarding concerns that arise.
   

This way, both teens and parents can feel reassured — teens know they have a safe space to talk, and parents know that space is professional, ethical, and protective.

My practice is guided by the BACP Ethical Framework and informed by the professional standards of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Together, these frameworks ensure that every client is treated with dignity, respect, and professionalism. They set clear boundaries, protect confidentiality, and place client welfare at the centre of all decisions, while also keeping my practice accountable, ethical, and evidence-based. 

 Protecting your information is part of safeguarding too. Life Forge is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO, Ref: ZB974778), which means all data is handled securely and lawfully under UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your personal details and session notes are stored with strict confidentiality and never shared without your consent, unless there is a serious safeguarding concern. 

 Yes — Life Forge Ltd is fully insured, covering professional indemnity, public liability, and online therapeutic practice. This protects both clients and the practice itself, giving you peace of mind that sessions are conducted responsibly and safely at all times. 

Confidentiality is one of the most important parts of therapy and support. What you share stays private between us. The only exception — and this is standard for all practitioners — is if I believe there is a risk of serious harm to you or someone else. In those rare situations, safeguarding must take priority, but even then I will always do my best to involve you in the process. 

At Life Forge, your wellbeing will always come first. With an enhanced DBS check, guidance from the BACP Ethical Framework, training accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), registration with the ICO, and full professional insurance, you can trust that our practice is safe, ethical, and grounded in the highest professional standards.

Whether you are a parent, teen, or adult client, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and compassionate space where you can grow, heal, and thrive.