Safeguarding & complaints

This policy outlines statutory safeguarding commitments, professional standards, and clear routes for raising concerns or formal complaints — including signposting to professional regulators. It applies to Therapy With Ben (Ben Richardson, sole trader; trading name of That Music Therapy Lot).

Part 1: Safeguarding statement & commitment

1. Duty of care & training

As a sole practitioner, maintaining client safety and welfare is central to my practice.

Safeguarding training: I maintain up-to-date, accredited safeguarding training appropriate for working with adults, young people, and vulnerable populations.
DBS status: I am registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Update Service (Certificate No. 001788330063), allowing real-time verification of my enhanced background checks.

2. Safeguarding thresholds & confidentiality

All therapeutic sessions are confidential. However, confidentiality may be overridden if a safeguarding threshold is met. This occurs when:

There is a demonstrable risk of serious harm to yourself or another person.
A child, young person, or vulnerable adult is identified as suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm.
Disclosure is required by law (for example severe criminal acts, terrorism, or a court order).

Wherever safe and legally permissible, any necessary safeguarding referral to external agencies (such as Social Care or emergency services) will be discussed with you before information is shared.

Part 2: Complaints & fitness to practice

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your care, communication, or service, you have the right to raise a concern. I aim to address issues transparently and professionally.

1. Informal resolution (Stage 1)

If you feel comfortable doing so, I encourage you to raise any concerns directly with me during or between sessions. Many misunderstandings or misalignments in therapy can be resolved through open clinical discussion. You can also contact hello@therapywithben.uk.

2. Regulatory & professional body complaints (Stage 2)

If a concern cannot be resolved informally, or if your complaint relates to professional misconduct, ethics, or fitness to practice, you can escalate your complaint directly to the relevant professional registering bodies.

A. Statutory regulation: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

I am registered as a clinician with the HCPC. Regardless of the specific modality used in your sessions (including integrative psychotherapy), you retain the right to raise a concern regarding my overall fitness to practice with the HCPC at any time.

Scope: Professional conduct, ethical breaches, competence, and public safety.
How to lodge a concern:HCPC — Raising concerns

B. Professional body: National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP)

For concerns specifically relating to the delivery or ethical framework of integrative psychotherapy, you can complain to the NCIP.

Scope: Breaches of the NCIP Code of Ethics and Psychotherapy Standards.
How to lodge a complaint: via the NCIP website or email complaints@the-ncip.com.