Child and Adult Concerns

1. Introduction to Safeguarding:

   – Define safeguarding and its importance within therapy.

   – Highlight the legal and ethical obligations of therapists to safeguard both children and adults.

   – Discuss the potential risks and vulnerabilities faced by clients in therapy settings.

2. Safeguarding Children:

   – Identify signs of abuse and neglect in children, including physical, emotional, sexual, and neglectful indicators.

   – Explore mandatory reporting requirements and procedures for suspected child abuse or neglect.

   – Discuss the therapist’s role in creating a safe and supportive environment for children, including boundaries and confidentiality.

3. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults:

   – Define vulnerable adults and the types of abuse they may experience, such as physical, psychological, financial, and sexual abuse.

   – Review the indicators of abuse or neglect in vulnerable adults, including physical injuries, changes in behavior, and financial discrepancies.

   – Examine the legal frameworks and reporting mechanisms for safeguarding vulnerable adults, including safeguarding policies and procedures within therapy organizations.

4. Risk Assessment and Management:

   – Introduce risk assessment tools and techniques for identifying potential risks to clients’ safety and well-being.

   – Discuss strategies for managing safeguarding concerns within therapy sessions, including establishing clear boundaries, communication protocols, and referral pathways.

   – Highlight the importance of ongoing risk assessment and review in safeguarding practice to ensure the continued safety of clients.

5. Professional Boundaries and Ethics:

   – Explore the ethical considerations and professional boundaries involved in safeguarding practice, including confidentiality, dual relationships, and duty of care.

   – Discuss the impact of therapist-client dynamics on safeguarding, including power differentials and transference.

   – Provide guidance on maintaining appropriate boundaries while addressing safeguarding concerns and promoting client autonomy and empowerment.

6. Case Studies and Practical Application:

   – Present case studies illustrating safeguarding issues in therapy settings, including both child and adult concerns.

   – Encourage learners to apply safeguarding principles and strategies to analyze and respond to the presented cases.

   – Facilitate discussions on best practices for safeguarding in therapy, drawing on real-life scenarios and ethical dilemmas.

7. Conclusion and Reflection:

   – Summarize key concepts and learning outcomes from the lesson.

   – Encourage learners to reflect on their own practice and identify areas for further development in safeguarding competencies.

   – Provide resources for ongoing learning and support in safeguarding practice, including relevant policies, guidelines, and professional organizations.