Neurodivergent Speech Therapist in Kent - Jamie Louise Hollis - ADHD SLT

Safeguarding children policy

Last reviewed: 12th march 2026

Date effective: 2nd November 2023

Next review date: 12th march 2027

1: Introduction

At ADHD SLT (Jamie Louise Hollis), I am committed to protecting and respecting the welfare of all children and adults who use my services. This policy outlines how I safeguard vulnerable individuals and protect their privacy while providing speech and language therapy services.

This policy is informed by the following guidance and legislation:
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
• Children Act 1989 and 2004
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024)
• Care Act 2014 (for safeguarding adults)
• GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

Safeguarding Lead

As an independent practitioner, I act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for ADHD SLT and am responsible for responding to safeguarding concerns and making referrals to appropriate safeguarding services where required.

2: data controller

I am the data controller for any personal information you provide. You can contact me via email at:
Jamie Louise Hollis
adhdslt@outlook.com

3: purpose of the policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Protect children, young people, and adults from harm while receiving my services.
  • Ensure the safety and welfare of all individuals.
  • Promote an environment where safeguarding is a priority.

4: adhd slts beliefs and values

I believe:

  • All individuals have the right to be protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • As a healthcare professional, I have a responsibility to protect and promote the welfare of all clients and ensure their safety.

5: Recognising Vulnerability

I acknowledge:

  • The welfare of individuals is paramount in all work and decisions.
  • Some people are more vulnerable due to previous experiences, dependency, communication needs, or other factors.
  • Extra safeguards may be necessary for those who are additionally vulnerable.

6: Commitment to safeguarding

I will: 

  • Value, listen to, and respect individuals.
  • Adopt best practices in safeguarding through policies and procedures.
  • Keep safeguarding training up to date.
  • Record, store, and use information securely in line with data protection legislation.
  • If safeguarding concerns involve another professional or organisation, I will follow appropriate whistleblowing procedures and report concerns to the relevant authority.

7: Duty of Care and Confidentiality

I am committed to maintaining confidentiality, except where there is a risk to the individual or others. I will take all reasonable steps to ensure confidentiality is upheld.

Where services are delivered online, I will take reasonable steps to ensure sessions take place in a safe environment and that children are appropriately supervised where required. If safeguarding concerns arise during online sessions, the same reporting procedures outlined in this policy will apply.

8: Procedure in the Event of Disclosure or Allegation

If a child, young person, or adult makes an allegation or disclosure of abuse, the following steps should be followed:

  • Stay calm and listen carefully.
  • Reassure the individual they have done the right thing in disclosing.
  • Do not ask leading questions or investigate the disclosure.
  • Inform the Safeguarding Lead if the disclosure occurs within an educational setting.
  • For all other settings, contact the relevant safeguarding services (e.g., Kent County Council, the Police).

9: Procedure in the Event of a Concern

If there is an immediate threat of harm, the Police should be contacted. If there is no immediate threat, the following steps will occur:

  • Discuss the concern with the Safeguarding Lead or Integrated Front Door (IFD).
  • Record the concern and keep it securely.
  • A referral to statutory agencies may be made if appropriate.
  • Safeguarding concerns will be recorded as soon as possible after the event using the incident reporting template and stored securely in line with data protection requirements.

10: Supporting information

I am registered with:

11: Kent County Council Contact Information

Procedure in the event of concern:

If there is an immediate threat of harm the Police should be contacted.

Where it is judged that there is no immediate threat of harm the following will occur:

  • The concern will be discussed with the Safeguarding Lead if at an educational setting or the Integrated Front Door (IFD) in all other locations and a decision made as to whether the concern warrants a referral to statutory agencies.
  • A confidential record will be made of the conversation and circumstances surrounding it using the template in Appendix 3. This record will be kept securely, and a copy passed to statutory agencies if a referral is made.

Kent County Council Adult Safeguarding

Kent County Council child Safeguarding

12: policy updates

This policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on my website, and I encourage you to review the policy periodically.

13: contact me

If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please contact me at:
Jamie Louise Hollis

adhdslt@outlook.com

Signed: Jamie Louise Hollis

Job Title: Speech and Language Therapist

Appendix 1: what is abuse and neglect?

These definitions are taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2023.

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. A child may be abused or neglected either by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm.

Children may experience abuse in family settings, institutional or community environments, or by strangers, such as through the internet. Abuse may be perpetrated by an adult or adults, or by another child or children.

Physical Abuse:

Physical abuse can include:

  • Hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.
  • Physical harm may also result from a parent or carer fabricating symptoms or deliberately inducing illness in a child.

emotional Abuse:

Emotional abuse is the ongoing emotional maltreatment of a child, which can cause significant and long-lasting effects on their emotional development. It can involve:

  • Conveying to a child that they are worthless, unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person.
  • Silencing a child or making fun of their communication style.
  • Imposing age or developmentally inappropriate expectations, such as overly demanding tasks or restricting their opportunities for social interaction and exploration.
  • Exposure to the ill-treatment of others or serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing frequent fear or danger.
  • Emotional abuse can exist independently or alongside other forms of maltreatment.

sexual Abuse:

Sexual abuse involves forcing or encouraging a child or young person to participate in sexual activities, which may or may not involve physical violence. Activities can include:

  • Physical contact, such as assault by penetration (e.g., rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts like masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside clothing.
  • Non-contact activities, such as involving children in sexual imagery, watching sexual activities, encouraging inappropriate sexual behaviour, or grooming for abuse (including online grooming).
  • Sexual abuse may also be perpetrated by individuals other than adult males, including women and other children.

neglect:

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, which is likely to impair their health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy due to maternal substance abuse and can involve failure to:

  • Provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, and appropriate medical care.
  • Protect the child from physical and emotional harm or danger.
  • Ensure adequate supervision or the use of inadequate caregivers.
  • Respond to a child’s emotional needs.

signs of abuse:

Below are examples of each type of abuse listed above:

Physical Signs of Abuse:

  • Unexplained injuries or injuries inconsistent with the explanation.
  • Injuries caused by specific objects, e.g., burns from an iron.
  • Bruising, especially on the trunk, upper arms, shoulders, neck, or fingertips.
  • Burns or scalds, particularly from cigarettes.
  • Bite marks or fractures, particularly spiral fractures.
  • Swelling, particularly where there is a lack of normal use of limbs.
  • Serious injuries with inconsistent or no explanation.

Psychological/Emotional Signs:

  • Unusually fearful of adults.
  • Overly compliant to parents or caregivers.
  • Refusal to discuss injuries or fear of medical help.
  • Withdrawal from physical contact or displays of aggression.
  • Wearing cover-up clothing to conceal injuries.

Fictitious Illness by Proxy:

This involves a psychiatric illness where a parent or carer deliberately causes harm to a child, often by fabricating or inducing illness. Children may have experienced genuine illnesses early in life, leading to a dependency on medical attention.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM):

  • A cultural procedure involving the removal of parts of the female genitalia, often referred to as female circumcision.
  • This practice is illegal in the UK and typically performed on pre-pubescent girls.
  • FGM may involve taking girls abroad for the procedure or bringing practitioners into the UK.
  • Under the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 and Serious Crime Act 2015, regulated health professionals have a mandatory duty to report known cases of FGM in girls under 18 to the police.

Physical Signs of Sexual Abuse:

  • Damage to genitalia, anus, or mouth.
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • Unexpected pregnancies, particularly in very young girls.
  • Soreness in genital or anal areas or mouth.
  • Recurrent stomach aches or unexplained weight loss.

Psychological/Emotional Signs of Sexual Abuse:

  • Sexual knowledge that is inappropriate for the child’s age.
  • Sexualized behaviour in young children, such as sexually provocative actions.
  • Sudden changes in personality or behaviour, including social withdrawal.
  • Overly compliant behaviour or distrust in significant adults.
  • Self-harm, eating disorders, or suicidal thoughts.

Signs of Emotional Abuse:

  • A “Low Warmth, High Criticism” style of parenting.
  • Extreme reactions to mistakes or overreaction to minor issues.
  • Sudden speech disorders or regression in behaviour.
  • Fear of new situations or self-deprecation.
  • Neurotic behaviour (e.g., rocking, hair twisting).
  • Self-harm, drug or solvent abuse, or running away.

Physical Signs of Neglect:

  • Poor personal hygiene or inadequate clothing.
  • Failure to thrive or significant weight loss or gain.
  • Untreated medical conditions or failure to meet medical needs.

Psychological/Emotional Signs of Neglect:

  • Constant hunger or tiredness.
  • Destructive tendencies, frequent lateness, or non-attendance at school.
  • Low self-esteem and neurotic behaviour.
  • Withdrawal from social interactions or running away.

Appendix 3: incident reporting template

Date and time of incident: 
Date on which this report was written:
Your full name:
Full name child/young person/adult concerned:
Location / Situation:

Other people present:

Record of incident:

  • Please ensure you are as accurate and detailed as possible. Use quotes wherever possible do not interpret what was said using your own words.
  • Record what you said as well as what the child or adult said.
  • Include details such as tone of voice, facial expression, and body language.
  • If you have formed an opinion please state it, making it clear that it is your opinion and give reasons for forming that opinion.

 

Continue on additional pages if necessary and attach to this form.

Who has been spoken to about the incident?  

Record below the names of all those who have been spoken to about this incident: Safeguarding Lead:  

Children’s Services:  

Police:  

NSPCC:  

Parent/Carer:  

Child:  

Young person:

Adult:

Other (name, role and organisation):  

Women’s Aid:

Refuge:

Advice and follow up actions: 

Advice and follow up actions:  

Signed:

Dated: 

Role:

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