1. Purpose and Scope

This policy ensures that The Chiropractic Hub provides a safe environment for all patients, with special attention to vulnerable individuals, including children, the elderly, and adults at risk. 

The policy outlines safeguarding practices and provides guidance for staff to prevent abuse or harm.  It should be used alongside our other organisational policies and procedures: 

Safeguarding Procedure

Safe Recruitment Policy and Procedure.

Induction, Training and Supervision Procedure

Managing Allegations Against Staff Members Policy and Procedure.

Photography; Storage and Sharing of Images Policy and Procedure.

Confidentiality Policy and Procedure.

Record Keeping Policy and Procedure.

Patient Consent Policy and Procedure.

Health and Safety Policy and Procedure.

Lone person working and Chaperone Policy and Procedure.

2. Definitions

Safeguarding: Protecting individuals’ health, well-being, and human rights to prevent harm, abuse, or neglect.

Vulnerable Individuals: Persons at higher risk of abuse, including children under 18, elderly patients, and adults with disabilities or illnesses that limit their ability to protect themselves.

3. Policy Statement

The Chiropractic Hub is committed to:

Promoting the safety, health, and welfare of all patients, including children.

Providing a safe, respectful, and caring environment free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Responding quickly and appropriately to any concerns of abuse, especially involving children.

4. Legal Framework

This policy is guided by the following legislative frameworks:

Working together to Safeguard Children (2023)

Slavery Act (2023)

Domestic Abuse Bill (2021)

Data Protection Act (2018)

Counter- Terrorism and Security Act (2015); Prevent Duty Guidance.

The Care Act (2014)

The Mental Capacity Act (2005)

The Children Act 1989 & 2004

Female Genital Mutilation Act (2003)

General Chiropractic Council – Code of Conduct.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Clinic Management: Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and that all staff receive training. Appoint a Safeguarding Lead.

Staff: All clinic staff must report any concerns of abuse involving children or vulnerable adults to the Safeguarding Lead.

Safeguarding Lead: Responsible for managing safeguarding issues, reporting concerns to external authorities when needed, and maintaining records of incidents.

6. Safe Recruitment; Training and Awareness

Staff will be recruited appropriately following the guidelines in The Chiropractic Hub Safe Recruitment Policy and Procedure.  

All staff, including those who interact with children, will undergo safeguarding training within the first three months of employment, with refresher training annually.

The clinic will provide ongoing education on recognising and responding to signs of child abuse and neglect.

7. Recognising Abuse

Staff will be aware of the following types of abuse, especially when working with children and vulnerable adults:

Physical Abuse: Inflicting physical harm, such as hitting or shaking.

Emotional Abuse: Emotional maltreatment that can harm an individual’s emotional development, such as bullying, threatening, or ignoring.

Sexual Abuse: Any form of sexual activity or making a child view sexual activity. 

Sexual activity without consent (adult).

Neglect: Failure to provide necessary care, resulting in harm to the child’s or adult’s health or wellbeing and development.

Human Trafficking/ modern day slavery:  An individual being exploited by others, for personal or commercial gain.  

Financial abuse: Abuse which includes having money and or property stolen, being defrauded or put under pressure in relation to misuse of your money or property.

Signs of abuse may include unexplained injuries, fear or guarding in the presence of specific individuals, behavioural changes, or signs of physical neglect and malnutrition.

8. Reporting safeguarding concerns; Confidentiality; Record keeping and working with external agencies

Staff will follow The Chiropractic Hub Safeguarding Policy and Procedure in order to ensure that Safeguarding concerns are documented and reported appropriately.

Staff will adhere to and follow The Chiropractic Hub record keeping; confidentiality policies as appropriate.

All safeguarding concerns and disclosures will be treated empathetically and in confidence. Accurate records of safeguarding concerns will be stored securely.

Safeguarding records will be securely stored and only accessible to authorised personnel in compliance with data protection laws and The Chiropractic Hub Safeguarding and Record keeping Policies and procedures.

The Chiropractic Hub will cooperate with external agencies, such as Children’s & Adult social services, the Police, or local Safeguarding boards, when concerns arise.

Referrals to local child protection services will be made in cases of suspected or confirmed child abuse or neglect.

Information and concerns will only be shared with relevant authorities for the purposes of protecting a child or vulnerable adult.

9.  Consent

The Chiropractic Hub Consent Policy and procedure will be adhered to by all staff members. This includes the following:

Children under 16 require parental or guardian consent for chiropractic treatment. Staff must ensure that a parent or guardian is present during appointments.

For children aged 16-17, consent may be obtained from the child themselves, but staff should still encourage parental or guardian involvement when appropriate.

If a child under 18 is receiving treatment, a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult must be present in the treatment room.

If any concerns arise during the treatment, such as signs of abuse or discomfort, these must be reported immediately.  

Adult patients with the mental capacity to do so, give active consent prior to chiropractic treatment, this is demonstrated by their engagement and attendance at the appointment, along with a signed consent form at the start of the first treatment.

Consent for use and safe storage of adults and children’s photographs on The Chiropractic Hub website; social media and marketing material. 

The Chiropractic Hub Photography; Storage and Sharing of images procedure will be adhered to by all staff members.  This includes the following: 

Written consent will be obtained from any adult or in the case of a child, from both the child and their parent/guardian for the photograph/film to be taken; stored and used on The Chiropractic Hub website; social media and marketing materials.

As part of the consent process, it will be explained to the individuals that if they withdraw their consent for an image to be shared at some future time that it may not be possible to delete images that have already been shared or published.

Care will be taken so that the photographs/films are discrete and appropriate.

Children’s faces will only be visible with prior consent.

Names & personal information will not be used; Any identifying information will be disguised in any images used.

Photographic and film images will be stored securely and accessed by The Chiropractic Hub communications team.

10. Monitoring and Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it reflects current legislation and best practice.

11. Contact Information

Safeguarding Lead:
Dr Sarah Williams DC, The Chiropractic Hub  01780 769 459.
Email, directors@thechiropractichub.co.uk

Lincolnshire County Council:
Children’s Safeguarding:  01522 782111. 
Adults Safeguarding: 01522 782155.
Emergency Services: 999

This safeguarding policy ensures that The Chiropractic Hub prioritises the safety and well being of all patients, particularly children, by implementing robust procedures and responding swiftly to concerns.

Dr John Hutcheson D.C
Dr Sarah Williams D.C

The Chiropractic Hub