Safeguarding
The BPC recognises the fundamental importance of protecting and supporting patients and others from suspected and/or actual harm.
We are aware that tensions between confidentiality and safeguarding can arise when working with patients, and this can be very difficult. In each case, Registrants must meet legal requirements of safeguarding whilst weighing up the clinical need and safety issues when deciding how to respond to safeguarding concerns.
Our Registrants must follow the BPC’s Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics. The Standard that refers to safeguarding directly is Standard 3 which states:
Registrants must:
3. Raise concerns if patients or others are at risk
3.1 Comply with legal obligations in relation to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk.
3.2 Protect and safeguard children, young people and adults at risk from abuse by:
• being alert to signs of abuse; and
• promptly reporting concerns to an appropriate person or organisation if you believe any such person is at risk of harm.
BPC Registrants are personally responsible for the way they behave and must use their judgement to make informed and reasonable decisions, whilst meeting the BPC Standards of Conduct, Practice and Ethics at all times.
Registrants must always be prepared to explain or justify their decisions and actions. Making informed and reasonable decisions might include getting advice and support from colleagues, education providers, professional bodies, or other people. Best practise is to record the reasoning for a decision in a contemporaneous note that has a date or time stamp.
The purpose of the safeguarding guidance, found below, is to provide guidance to Registrants and Member Institutions about the legal obligations, ethical considerations and practical guidance in relation to safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk.
We support safe psychoanalytic therapy, including the safeguarding of children and adults at risk.
