Safeguarding

This page explains what happens if something serious comes up. It is shared before any advisory conversation begins, so that nothing about it is a surprise.

The advisory work is confidential, non-clinical and framework-led. It is not therapy, diagnosis, emergency care or a substitute for professional support.

Confidentiality, and its limits

What you say in the advisory is treated as confidential.

There are limits, and they are named here rather than left unsaid. Confidentiality does not hold where there is a serious risk of harm to you or to another person, where a child or an adult at risk may be unsafe, or where there is a legal obligation to act.

If that point is ever reached, you will be told. It will not be decided about you without your knowledge, unless telling you would place someone in greater danger.

When something needs more than advisory

Some things deserve care this work is not designed to give.

Where what you are carrying would be better held by a qualified therapist, a doctor, a specialist service or pastoral support, that will be said plainly, and help will be offered to find it. Advisory may continue alongside that support, or pause while it is put in place.

This is not a judgement on you, and it is not the end of the conversation. It means the right support matters more than keeping the work inside one room.

If there is immediate risk

If there is an immediate risk of harm to you or to anyone else, the session stops being a reflective conversation and becomes about safety.

That may mean contacting emergency or crisis services, depending on where you are.

If you need urgent help now, and you are in the UK:

Emergency services, 999. NHS 111, for urgent medical advice. Samaritans, 116 123, free, at any hour.

If you are outside the UK, please use your own country's emergency number and local crisis service.

What is not done here

No diagnosis. No treatment. No prescribing. No clinical intervention.

The absence of a diagnosis is not a reason to come here instead of somewhere else. Where clinical or specialist support is needed, it is encouraged, and referral is offered.

Children and adults at risk

The advisory is for adults.

If something is disclosed that suggests a child or an adult at risk may be unsafe, it will be acted on, according to the responsibilities that apply.

Records

Brief, factual notes are kept for each engagement, held securely and seen by no one else.

They exist so that the work has continuity, not so that anything is built about you. You may ask what is held at any time.

Pace

You set the pace.

Nothing is opened because it is interesting, and nothing is pressed because there is time left in the session. You decide what is spoken about, and what is left for another day.

Questions

If anything here raises a question, ask Paul before you begin rather than after.

Boundaries for the 1-1 Executive Advisory are set out here - Boundaries.