Health & Safety Policy

Introduction

I am committed to providing a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment for clients, visitors, and myself. This policy outlines how health and safety is managed within the counselling practice, including the premises where sessions take place.

Health and safety is approached in a sensible and proportionate way, recognising the nature of counselling work while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

As a sole practitioner, I am responsible for:

• Identifying and assessing potential health and safety risks
• Taking reasonable steps to reduce or manage those risks
• Reviewing health and safety arrangements regularly

Risk Assessment of the Premises

A risk assessment is carried out for the counselling premises and reviewed periodically, or sooner if there are changes to the environment or how the space is used.

The assessment considers, where appropriate:

• Safe access to and from the premises
• Lighting, ventilation, heating, and overall comfort
• Slips, trips, and fall hazards
• Fire safety (including clear exits and alarms)
• Furniture layout and stability
• Cleanliness and hygiene
• Privacy and security within the counselling space

Any identified risks are addressed as far as is reasonably practicable.

Fire Safety

Fire safety arrangements include:

• Clear and accessible exit routes
• Awareness of evacuation procedures
• Smoke alarms and/or fire detection systems where applicable

Clients will be supported to leave the building safely in the event of an emergency.

Accidents and Incidents

In the unlikely event of an accident or incident occurring on the premises:

• Appropriate action will be taken to ensure safety
• Incidents will be recorded where necessary
• Steps will be taken to reduce the risk of recurrence

Client Responsibilities

Clients are encouraged to:

• Take reasonable care of their own safety
• Inform me of any access needs or health considerations that may affect their safety while attending sessions
• Follow any reasonable safety guidance provided

This policy applies primarily to in-person sessions. For online or remote counselling, clients are responsible for ensuring their own physical safety in their chosen environment.

Review of This Policy

Health and safety arrangements, including the premises risk assessment, are reviewed regularly and updated as required to reflect changes in circumstances, guidance, or use of the space.

 Last reviewed: March 2026