Policy owner: Greta Henderson
Role: ADHD Coach / Designated Safeguarding Lead
Policy reviewed: 10 March 2026
Next review: 10 March 2027

Safeguarding Statement

Actually Zebra is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all coaching clients.

The welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults is our highest priority. Safeguarding means protecting people from abuse, harm, neglect, and exploitation and ensuring they can participate in coaching safely.

As a solo online ADHD coach, I recognise my responsibility to:

• Promote wellbeing and safety

• Respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns

• Follow UK safeguarding legislation and guidance

• Take concerns seriously and act promptly

Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to:

• All coaching sessions delivered by Actually Zebra

• Online coaching via video platforms

• Communication with clients via email or messaging

This policy applies to:

• Adult clients

• Young people under 18

• Parents/guardians of young clients

Designated Safeguarding Lead

As a solo business, the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is:

Name: Greta Henderson
Role: ADHD Coach / Business Owner
Email: greta_henderson@proton.me

The DSL is responsible for:

• Responding to safeguarding concerns

• Recording incidents

• Reporting concerns to appropriate authorities

• Ensuring safe coaching practices

Types of Abuse

Safeguarding concerns may include:

Physical Abuse: Deliberate harm or injury.

Emotional Abuse: Behaviour that harms a person's emotional wellbeing, confidence, or sense of worth.

Sexual Abuse: Any sexual activity involving a child or vulnerable person.

Neglect: Failure to meet basic physical or emotional needs.

Online Abuse: Harassment, exploitation, or manipulation through digital platforms.

Exploitation: Taking advantage of a person’s vulnerability for personal gain.

Safeguarding in Online Coaching

Because coaching is delivered online, additional safeguarding measures are used.

These include:

• Coaching sessions conducted via professional platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams)

• No private communication with minors outside agreed channels

• Parents/guardians aware of coaching sessions with children

• Sessions conducted in appropriate professional settings

• Clear professional boundaries maintained at all times

For clients under 18:

• A parent or guardian must provide consent before coaching begins

• Parents/guardians may request session summaries if appropriate

Professional Boundaries

To maintain safe coaching relationships, the following boundaries apply:

The coach will:

• Treat all clients with respect and dignity

• Maintain professional boundaries

• Avoid inappropriate personal relationships with clients

• Use professional communication channels only

• Not request secrecy from young clients

The coach will not:

• Engage in inappropriate discussions

• Ask clients to keep secrets from parents or guardians

• Provide coaching outside agreed platforms without parental awareness (for minors)

Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

If a client discloses abuse or a safeguarding concern arises, the following steps will be taken:

1. Listen calmly and without judgement

2. Do not promise confidentiality

3. Record what was said as accurately as possible

4. Assess the level of risk

5. Seek advice or report concerns to relevant safeguarding authorities if necessary

If someone is in immediate danger, emergency services will be contacted.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may be reported to:

• Local safeguarding services

• Social services

• Police (if urgent risk)

Where appropriate, parents or guardians may be informed unless doing so would place the child at greater risk.

Confidentiality

Client information is treated confidentially.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if:

• There is risk of harm to the client

• There is risk of harm to others

• Safeguarding laws require disclosure

In such situations, information may be shared with relevant authorities.

Record Keeping

Any safeguarding concerns will be recorded securely.

Records may include:

• Date and time of concern

• What was said or observed

• Actions taken

• Any referrals made

All records are stored in line with UK GDPR and data protection laws.

Safer Coaching Practices

To support safeguarding, the following practices are used:

• Clear coaching agreements

• Written parental consent for clients under 18

• Professional communication channels

• Safeguarding training where appropriate

• Appropriate insurance for coaching services

Policy Review

This safeguarding policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

• Coaching services expand

• New risks are identified

• Safeguarding guidance changes

Parent/Guardian Consent For clients under 18:

• Written consent from a parent/guardian is required

• Parents will be informed about coaching structure

• Communication methods will be agreed in advance