​1. Introduction

Safeguarding is central to the work of Sara Bierer Ltd. As an educational psychology service supporting children, young people, families and schools, we hold a profound responsibility to ensure that every child we encounter is safe, respected and protected from harm. This policy explains how we understand that responsibility and how we put it into practice. It is written in accessible, human language so that it can be genuinely useful to those who read it.

 

Our work is guided by the statutory safeguarding framework in England, including the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, the SEND Code of Practice and the most recent version of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). These documents shape our legal duties, but they also reflect the values that underpin our service: that children’s welfare must always come first, and that safeguarding is a shared responsibility across families, professionals and communities.

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2. Our Commitment to Children and Young People

At Sara Bierer Ltd, we believe that children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. Their safety and well-being guide every decision we make. We recognise that children come from diverse backgrounds and have different needs, and that some may be especially vulnerable because of their experiences, disabilities, communication needs or levels of dependency.

 

Children with SEND, in particular, may find it harder to express concerns or may rely more heavily on adults for care. This means we must be attentive not only to what children say, but also to what they show us through their behaviour, interactions and emotional responses. Safeguarding is not a separate task; it is woven into our everyday practice.

 

3. Creating Safe and Respectful Environments

We aim to create environments—whether in schools, homes or online—where children feel listened to, valued and safe. We take time to explain our role, check in with children about how they are feeling and ensure they know who they can talk to if something worries them. We also work closely with parents, carers and school staff, recognising that open communication and shared understanding are essential for keeping children safe.

 

Safeguarding is a collective effort. We see families and professionals as partners, and we strive to build relationships based on trust, transparency and respect.

 

4. Responsibilities of Staff and Associates

Everyone working on behalf of Sara Bierer Ltd—whether as an associate psychologist, trainee, administrator or subcontractor—shares responsibility for safeguarding. This begins with safe recruitment: all staff and associates must hold an up-to-date Enhanced DBS check, provide references and demonstrate their suitability to work with children.

Once part of the team, they receive safeguarding and child protection training aligned with KCSIE, refreshed regularly to ensure that knowledge stays current. Supervision and reflective practice help staff think carefully about safeguarding issues, seek advice when needed and maintain professional boundaries.

 

5. Responding to Concerns

When concerns arise, we act promptly and thoughtfully. We follow the safeguarding procedures of the setting we are working in and ensure that concerns are also shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Sara Bierer Ltd. We keep clear, factual and secure records of any concerns and the actions taken.

 

If a child is at immediate risk of harm, we do not hesitate to contact emergency services. Where appropriate, we make referrals to local authority children’s services and work collaboratively with other agencies to ensure that children receive the support and protection they need.

 

6. Information Sharing and Confidentiality

Information sharing is an important part of safeguarding, and we approach it with care. We follow data protection legislation and our own Privacy Notice, ensuring that information is shared only when necessary and always in the child’s best interests. We store information securely and limit access to those who need it for safeguarding purposes.

 

7. Working Across Different Contexts

We recognise that safeguarding responsibilities can vary depending on the context. When working in schools, we follow the school’s safeguarding procedures and liaise closely with their DSL. When working privately with families, we ensure that parents understand our safeguarding duties and the steps we may need to take if concerns arise. In local authority or multi-agency contexts, we follow the relevant referral pathways and contribute to joint decision-making where appropriate.

 

8. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Sara Bierer Ltd is:

Sara Bierer

Email: sara@sarabierer.com 

 

The DSL oversees safeguarding practice across the service, supports staff in managing concerns and ensures that our policies and procedures remain up to date. If the DSL is unavailable, concerns should be directed to the safeguarding lead in the setting where the work is taking place.

 

9. Reviewing and Updating This Policy

We want this policy to be a living document—something that evolves as guidance changes and as we learn from experience. For that reason, we review it annually and update it whenever legislation or best practice shifts. Any changes are shared with all staff and associates so that everyone remains confident in their safeguarding responsibilities.

 

10. Conclusion

Safeguarding is about more than procedures; it is about creating a culture where children feel safe, adults feel confident to act and concerns are taken seriously. At Sara Bierer Ltd, we are committed to fostering that culture in every piece of work we undertake.

 

Last Reviewed: February 2026