About this policy

The Queer Therapist works online with adults aged 18 and over. I take the safety and wellbeing of the people I work with, and of others, seriously. This policy explains what I do if I am worried that someone is at risk of harm.

In this policy, "I" means Chris Grant-Sheridan, who is responsible for safeguarding at The Queer Therapist.

When I might act

I may need to take action, sometimes without your consent, if:

  • I believe you are at serious risk of harming yourself
  • I believe someone else is at serious risk of harm
  • I learn that a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm
  • I learn that an adult is at risk of harm and may be unable to protect themselves
  • the law requires me to share information, for example under a court order or laws on terrorism and serious crime

What I will do

  • Where it is safe and possible, I will talk with you first and agree together what happens next.
  • I will seek advice from my clinical supervisor, without identifying you where I can.
  • I will share only the information that is needed, with the people who need it.
  • I will keep a record of what I decided, why, and what I did.

Who I might contact

If I am seriously concerned that you are at risk of harming yourself, I will usually contact your GP, and occasionally your emergency contact. I will always let you know if I do this, and where possible, before I do.

Depending on the situation, I may also contact:

  • emergency services
  • the local council's social work department, including adult or child protection services
  • the police

If you are outside Scotland, I will contact the relevant services where you are.

Training and supervision

I keep my safeguarding training up to date and discuss safeguarding concerns in regular clinical supervision. I follow Scottish law, including the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, and the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions 2026.

If you have a concern

If you are worried about your own safety or someone else's, please tell me. I am not an emergency service. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999, or the local emergency number if you are outside the UK.

If you have a concern about me or how I have handled a safeguarding matter, please raise it with me first. You can also contact my professional bodies: BACP, NCPS or COSRT.

Email: info@thequeertherapist.com

I review this policy every year. Last updated: 05.10.26