safeguarding policy

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Date of Issue: 1st January 2026
Next Review Date: 1st January 2027
Approved by: Directors of artspace

At artspace, we hold the wellbeing and psychological safety of our parDcipants at the heart of everything we do.

1. Purpose of this Policy

artspace is committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive environments for all participants in our
creative workshops. While our sessions are not a form of therapy, they may invite self-reflection and emotional
expression. This policy outlines how we safeguard participants’ wellbeing, set professional boundaries and
respond appropriately to any concerns.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all facilitators, co-facilitators and freelance practitioners delivering creative workshops on
behalf of artspace. It also sets out expectations for corporate clients and participants in relation to safeguarding
and professional conduct.

3. Safeguarding Principles

At artspace we are guided by the following principles:

  • Respect and Dignity: every participant has the right to be treated with respect and without
    discrimination
  • Emotional Safety: participants are supported to engage at their own pace, with choice and autonomy
  • Boundaries: creative workshops are not therapeutic treatment and facilitators will not provide
    individual therapy or counselling
  • Confidentiality: participants’ personal reflections are treated with sensitivity, with clear limits to
    confidentiality (see below)
  • Professional Responsibility: concerns about wellbeing will be managed in a timely, proportionate and
    ethical manner on a strict need to know basis

4. Roles and Responsibilities

  • Facilitators will:
    • Create a safe, inclusive and respectful group environment
    • Clearly explain the purpose, scope and boundaries of the creative workshop
    • Sensitively manage group dynamics and ensure no participant feels pressured to share
      more than they are comfortable with
    • Recognise and respond appropriately to signs of any distress
    • Follow reporting procedures if a safeguarding concern arises
  • Corporate Clients / Employers will:
    • Provide a safe physical and/or virtual environment for sessions
    • Ensure participants are aware of any internal wellbeing support available (eg, HR, Employee Assistance Programmes)
    • Cooperate with artspace in managing any safeguarding concerns

5. Confidentiality and its Limitations

Participants’ contributions within creative workshops will not be shared outside the group without
consent. The exceptions to this is, if a facilitator becomes aware of a risk of serious harm to the
participant or others they have a duty to act. This may involve contacting the participant’s employer
(eg, HR), appropriate safeguarding professionals or emergency services.


6. Managing Disclosures or Concerns

If a participant discloses distress, risk or a safeguarding concern, the facilitators/s will:

  1. Listen respectfully and without judgment
  2. Acknowledge and validate what has been shared
  3. Explain confidentiality limits and the need to act if there is risk of harm
  4. Record the concern factually and securely
  5. Report to the Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL) within artspace
  6. Where appropriate, liaise with the corporate client (eg, HR) to ensure the participant has access
    to appropriate support

7. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

artspace has two appointed DSLs to oversee safeguarding practice, provide guidance to facilitators and
manage serious concerns.

  • DSLs: Sarah Edmonds and Karen Wilson
  • Contact details will be shared with all facilitators

8. Training and Supervision

  • All facilitators will hold safeguarding training appropriate to their role
  • Facilitators will have access to supervision/peer support to reflect on their practice and
    managing professional boundaries
  • The policy will be reviewed annually and updated in line with legislation and best practice

9. Record Keeping

  • All safeguarding concerns will be documented promptly, factually and stored securely in line
    with GDPR requirements
  • Records will only be shared on a strict need-to-know basis

10. Policy Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually by the artspace leadership team or sooner if there
are changes in legislation, guidance or practice requirements.

11. Contact

If you have questions about this Safeguarding Policy please contact:

artspace Designated Safeguarding Leads: Sarah Edmonds and Karen Wilson
Email: hello@artspacearttherapy.co.uk