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Safeguarding Adults Policy
Safeguarding Adults Policy
AuDHD and Then Some
Last updated: May 2026
Website:www.audhdandthensome.com
Business name: AuDHD and Then Some
Contact email:audhdandthensome@gmail.com
1. Purpose of this policy
AuDHD and Then Some is committed to creating a safe, respectful and supportive space for adults who access our website, services, resources, community spaces, courses, events or communications.
We only work with adults aged 18 and over.
This policy explains how we approach safeguarding adults, how we respond to concerns, and what we may need to do if we believe an adult is at risk of harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation.
2. Who this policy applies to
This policy applies to:
adults who access AuDHD and Then Some services, content, courses, events, groups, memberships or communications
adults who contact us by email, social media, forms, messages or other communication channels
anyone working on behalf of AuDHD and Then Some, including freelancers, contractors, collaborators, guest speakers, facilitators or volunteers, where applicable
Although we only work with adults, we recognise that safeguarding concerns may sometimes involve children, young people, family members or other people connected to an adult. If information is shared that suggests a child or young person may be at risk of harm, we may need to take appropriate safeguarding action.
3. Our safeguarding commitment
We believe that every adult has the right to live free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.
We aim to:
treat adults with dignity, respect and compassion
take concerns seriously
respond in a calm, proportionate and person-centred way
respect adults’ choices, autonomy and privacy wherever possible
recognise that some adults may have additional care and support needs
recognise the specific risks that can affect disabled, neurodivergent, autistic, ADHD and AuDHD adults
act when we believe someone may be at risk of serious harm
keep clear records of safeguarding concerns and actions taken
work within relevant UK safeguarding guidance and legal duties
4. Adult safeguarding principles
Our approach is guided by the following safeguarding principles:
Empowerment
We support adults to make their own choices and to have control over decisions affecting them wherever possible.
Prevention
We aim to create safe, clear and supportive spaces that reduce the risk of harm.
Proportionality
We respond in the least intrusive way appropriate to the level of risk.
Protection
We take action where an adult is unable to protect themselves or may be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Partnership
Where needed, we may work with appropriate safeguarding services, emergency services or other relevant professionals.
Accountability
We aim to be transparent, responsible and clear about our safeguarding decisions and actions.
5. What we mean by safeguarding adults
Safeguarding adults means protecting an adult’s right to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.
Safeguarding concerns may arise where an adult:
has care and support needs
is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
may be unable to protect themselves because of their needs, circumstances or situation
We also recognise that any adult can experience harm, coercion, exploitation, abuse or crisis, whether or not they would describe themselves as having care and support needs.
6. Types of harm or abuse
Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:
physical abuse
emotional or psychological abuse
sexual abuse
domestic abuse
coercive or controlling behaviour
financial or material abuse
neglect or acts of omission
discriminatory abuse
organisational or institutional abuse
self-neglect
modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation
online abuse, harassment, grooming, scams or exploitation
hate crime or identity-based abuse
spiritual, cultural or community-based abuse
For neurodivergent adults, harm may also include situations where someone’s communication needs, sensory needs, disability, autonomy, consent, identity or access needs are ignored, dismissed or exploited.
7. Online safety and community spaces
Where AuDHD and Then Some provides online groups, community spaces, comments, live sessions, workshops, forums or social media interaction, we expect all adults to behave respectfully.
We do not allow:
bullying, harassment or intimidation
hate speech or discriminatory language
threats of violence or harm
sexual harassment
exploitation, manipulation or grooming
sharing another person’s private information without consent
pressure to disclose personal, medical, financial or trauma-related information
unsafe advice presented as professional medical, legal, financial or mental health guidance
content that encourages self-harm, suicide, abuse, violence or exploitation
We may remove content, restrict access, end participation, contact emergency services, or make a safeguarding referral if we believe there is a risk of harm.
8. Confidentiality and information sharing
We respect privacy and confidentiality. Information shared with us will usually be kept confidential unless there is a safeguarding reason to share it.
We may need to share relevant information if:
we believe an adult is at risk of serious harm
someone else may be at risk of harm
a child or young person may be at risk
there is a risk of suicide, serious self-harm or harm to others
abuse, neglect, coercion or exploitation is disclosed
we are required to do so by law
emergency services or safeguarding services need information to help keep someone safe
Where possible and appropriate, we will try to involve the adult in decisions about sharing information. However, there may be situations where we need to share information without consent, especially where there is an immediate or serious risk.
9. Mental health crisis and emergency situations
AuDHD and Then Some is not an emergency, crisis, medical or mental health service.
If someone appears to be in immediate danger, at risk of serious harm, or in need of urgent help, we may contact emergency services or encourage them to seek urgent support.
If you are in immediate danger or someone’s life is at risk, call emergency services on 999 in the UK.
If you need urgent mental health support in the UK, you can contact:
Samaritans: 116 123
NHS 111: call 111 and choose the mental health option, where available
999: if there is an immediate risk to life or safety
10. Responding to a safeguarding concern
If a safeguarding concern is raised or noticed, we will aim to:
listen calmly and take the concern seriously
avoid making promises of absolute confidentiality
consider whether there is an immediate risk of harm
record the concern clearly and factually
consider the adult’s wishes, consent and safety
seek appropriate advice where needed
contact emergency services if there is immediate danger
make a safeguarding referral to the relevant local authority safeguarding adults team if appropriate
review whether any changes are needed to reduce further risk
We will not investigate abuse ourselves. Where a concern requires formal safeguarding action, this should be handled by the appropriate safeguarding authority, emergency service or professional body.
11. Safeguarding lead
The safeguarding contact for AuDHD and Then Some is:
Name: Natasha Wakeling
Email:audhdandthensome@gmail.com
Safeguarding concerns should be raised by email where possible. If there is an immediate risk to life or safety, emergency services should be contacted first.
12. Safer working practice
Anyone working with or on behalf of AuDHD and Then Some is expected to:
treat adults with respect, dignity and care
maintain appropriate professional boundaries
avoid exploitative, manipulative or coercive behaviour
communicate clearly about the nature and limits of the service being provided
avoid making promises of secrecy where safeguarding concerns are involved
avoid giving advice outside their role, training or competence
report safeguarding concerns promptly
follow this policy and any relevant codes of conduct or service agreements
13. Boundaries of our role
AuDHD and Then Some may provide education, resources, lived-experience-informed content, community support, coaching, training, advocacy-informed work or reflective spaces, depending on the service being accessed.
We do not provide emergency support, crisis intervention, diagnosis, medical treatment, regulated therapy, legal advice or social care assessments unless clearly stated by a suitably qualified professional.
Where someone needs specialist support, we may signpost to appropriate services.
14. Adults-only services
Our services are intended for adults aged 18 and over.
We do not knowingly provide services directly to children or young people under 18. If we become aware that someone under 18 has accessed an adult-only service, we may need to take appropriate action, which may include ending access, contacting a parent or carer where appropriate, or seeking safeguarding advice if there are concerns about risk.
15. Record keeping
Where a safeguarding concern arises, we will keep a factual record of:
what was shared, seen or reported
dates and times
who was involved
any immediate risks identified
what action was taken
who information was shared with and why
any follow-up actions
Safeguarding records will be stored securely and only shared where necessary and appropriate.
16. Equality, inclusion and anti-discrimination
We recognise that safeguarding is connected to equality, disability rights, access needs and social justice.
We aim to respond to safeguarding concerns without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, neurotype, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, relationship status, pregnancy or maternity, class, income, language, migration status or any other protected or personal characteristic.
We recognise that autistic, ADHD and AuDHD adults may face additional barriers to being believed, understood or supported. We aim to take concerns seriously and communicate in ways that are clear, respectful and accessible.
17. Reviewing this policy
This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when needed, especially if there are changes to our services, safeguarding guidance, legal duties or ways of working.