Safeguarding Policy

Last Updated: 27/05/2026

  1. Purpose

Mystic Wellness Ltd. is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, wellbeing, dignity, rights, and safety of all children, young people, adults at risk, clients, students, trainees, visitors, and participants who engage with our services.

This Safeguarding Policy sets out our commitment, responsibilities, procedures, standards, and expectations to ensure that all individuals are protected from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, coercion, harassment, grooming, inappropriate conduct, spiritual abuse, and unsafe professional practices.

This policy applies across all services delivered by Mystic Wellness Ltd., including in-person treatments, online sessions, mentoring, accredited and non-accredited training, workshops, retreats, events, practitioner programmes, community activities, sound healing sessions, Reiki sessions, meditation sessions, and blended learning programmes.

This policy is designed to support compliance with UK safeguarding legislation, professional standards, insurance obligations, health and safety duties, equality obligations, and ethical best practice applicable to holistic wellbeing, training, therapeutic, and educational environments.

  1. Scope

This policy applies to all persons working under or representing Mystic Wellness Ltd., including:

  • directors;
  • employees;
  • self-employed practitioners;
  • contractors;
  • trainers and assessors;
  • volunteers;
  • guest facilitators;
  • mentors;
  • students
  • online facilitators;
  • administrative staff.

It also applies to all clients, students, retreat participants, attendees, visitors, and members of the public engaging with Mystic Wellness Ltd. services.

All individuals engaging with Mystic Wellness Ltd. services are expected to behave respectfully, professionally, lawfully, and in a manner that supports the safety and wellbeing of other

  1. Legal Framework

This policy is informed by and aligned with relevant UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including:

  • Children Act 1989
  • Children Act 2004
  • Care Act 2014
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Equality Act 2010
  • Data Protection Act 2018
  • UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • Domestic Abuse Act 2021
  • Sexual Offences Act 2003
  • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Where services are delivered in devolved nations, relevant local safeguarding procedures will also be followed.

  1. Safeguarding Principles

Safeguarding responsibilities operate alongside health and safety obligations, risk management procedures, and wellbeing measures designed to protect participants, practitioners, staff, and visitors.

Mystic Wellness Ltd. is committed to:

  • protecting all individuals from harm;
  • placing safety and wellbeing at the centre of practice;
  • listening to and respecting concerns raised;
  • responding promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns;
  • maintaining clear professional boundaries;
  • promoting equality, dignity, inclusion, consent, and respect;
  • working within legal and ethical responsibilities;
  • creating safe, inclusive, trauma-aware, and supportive environments;
  • maintaining accountability and professional integrity in all services delivered.

Mystic Wellness Ltd may carry out safeguarding, health and safety, and wellbeing risk assessments where appropriate in relation to therapies, training activities, online delivery, retreats, events, vulnerable individuals, children, or higher-risk situations.

Mystic Wellness Ltd is committed to providing services in a manner that promotes equality, dignity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and respect for all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, or socio-economic background

Mystic Wellness Ltd. adopts a zero-tolerance approach towards abuse, exploitation, harassment, discrimination, bullying, grooming, coercive behaviour, intimidation, victimisation, or safeguarding failures of any kind.

  1. Definitions

A child is any person under the age of 18.

An adult at risk (or vulnerable adult) is an adult who has care and support needs and may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, exploitation, coercion, or harm.

Abuse may include, but is not limited to:

  • physical abuse;
  • emotional or psychological abuse;
  • sexual abuse;
  • financial abuse;
  • neglect or acts of omission;
  • discriminatory abuse;
  • coercive control;
  • spiritual abuse;
  • domestic abuse;
  • online abuse or exploitation
  • grooming;
    • bullying or harassment;
    • modern slavery or exploitation

Spiritual abuse may include manipulation, exploitation, misuse of authority, coercion, fear-based practices, inappropriate dependency, pressure relating to beliefs, or misuse of therapeutic or spiritual influence.

  1. Children and Age Restrictions

Mystic Wellness Ltd may provide certain wellbeing services, workshops, or activities to individuals under the age of 18 only where appropriate, lawful, and with the prior written consent of a parent or legal guardian, and where suitable safeguarding arrangements are in place.

All individuals under the age of 18 attending any therapy session, workshop, event, retreat, or wellbeing activity delivered by Mystic Wellness Ltd must be accompanied at all times by a parent, legal guardian, or appropriately authorised responsible adult, unless otherwise agreed in writing and subject to appropriate safeguarding arrangements and risk assessment.

Written parental or guardian consent must be obtained before any therapy session, treatment, workshop, or activity involving a person under the age of 18.

No hands-on, touch-based, or one-to-one therapeutic work involving a person under the age of 18 may take place without the knowledge, prior consent, and presence of a parent, legal guardian, or appropriately authorised responsible adult, unless otherwise legally permitted and appropriately risk assessed.

Mystic Wellness Ltd does not provide professional training, accredited training, certification programmes, or practitioner-level education to individuals under the age of 18. All students enrolling on professional training courses must be aged 18 years or over at the time of enrolment unless a specific written exception has been approved by Mystic Wellness Ltd in accordance with applicable law, safeguarding requirements, and risk assessment.

No child or young person under the age of 18 may attend training, mentoring, retreats, workshops, online sessions, or treatments without appropriate supervision, consent, and safeguarding arrangements where applicable.

Mystic Wellness Ltd provides complementary holistic therapies strictly on an 18 years + basis only and does not offer therapy or hands-on services to individuals under 18. In exceptional circumstances, any involvement with a person under 18 years would only be permitted with written parental or legal guardian consent and with the parent or guardian present and supervising throughout the session.

Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any service where safeguarding concerns arise or where professional judgement deems it inappropriate. Where required, safeguarding obligations will be followed in line with UK law, and information may be shared with relevant authorities where there is a concern for safety or welfare.

Where there are concerns regarding an individual’s capacity to provide informed consent, Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to request involvement of an appropriate parent, guardian, carer, advocate, healthcare professional, or legal representative before services proceed.

Adults identified as vulnerable, at risk, or requiring additional support may be required by Mystic Wellness Ltd to attend sessions accompanied by a trusted responsible adult, carer, support worker, advocate, or legal representative where appropriate to support wellbeing, safety, communication, and informed consent.

Any practitioner, staff member, contractor, volunteer, or representative of Mystic Wellness Ltd working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults must comply fully with this Safeguarding Policy and all relevant UK safeguarding legislation and guidance.

Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to refuse or discontinue services where adequate safeguarding arrangements, supervision, consent, or safety measures are not in place.

  1. Safeguarding (Children and Young People)

Mystic Wellness Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of all children and young people.

Where complementary therapy, holistic wellness, or supportive services are provided to individuals under the age of 18, services will only be delivered subject to strict safeguarding requirements, including:

  • prior written consent from a parent or legal guardian;
  • parental or legal guardian presence throughout the entire session;
  • confirmation that the service is appropriate for the child’s age, needs, and wellbeing; and
  • delivery only within the practitioner’s professional competence, safeguarding training, and insurance cover.

We reserve the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate any session involving a minor where safeguarding concerns arise, where consent cannot be properly verified, or where providing the service would not be appropriate or in the child’s best interests.

Parents or legal guardians remain responsible for the supervision, participation, and welfare of the child throughout any session or interaction.

Any safeguarding concern, disclosure, risk of harm, or concern relating to the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person may be recorded and shared with appropriate safeguarding authorities, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, or other relevant agencies where required or permitted by law.

All safeguarding matters are handled confidentially and in accordance with applicable UK safeguarding and data protection legislation.

  1. Responsibilities

All persons working with Mystic Wellness Ltd. must:

  • understand and comply with this policy;
  • complete safeguarding awareness training where required;
  • maintain appropriate professional boundaries;
  • report concerns immediately;
  • never ignore signs of abuse or neglect;
  • prioritise safety over confidentiality where risk exists.
  • act professionally and ethically at all times;
  • cooperate with safeguarding investigations where required.

The Director/Lead Practitioner of Mystic Wellness Ltd. is responsible for ensuring safeguarding procedures are implemented, maintained, reviewed, and updated.

Mystic Wellness Ltd may appoint a designated safeguarding lead (“DSL”) or nominated safeguarding officer responsible for receiving safeguarding concerns, maintaining records, and coordinating safeguarding responses where appropriate.

  1. Safer Recruitment and DBS

Where roles involve regulated activity or contact with children or vulnerable adults, appropriate safer recruitment procedures will be followed.

This may include:

  • identity checks;
  • qualification verification;
  • references;
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where legally required or deemed appropriate;
  • professional membership verification where applicable;
  • right-to-work checks where applicable.

Having a DBS check does not replace safeguarding responsibilities.

Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to refuse engagement, suspend duties, or terminate involvement where safeguarding concerns, unsuitable conduct, false information, or risk factors are identified.

  1. Professional Boundaries
  • Practitioners must maintain clear and appropriate physical, emotional, professional, financial, therapeutic, spiritual and digital boundaries at all times.
  • Practitioners must not exploit their professional role for personal, emotional, financial, sexual, spiritual, or social advantage.
  • Any touch-based treatment must follow informed consent and touch consent procedures.
  • Personal relationships with clients or students that may create conflicts of interest or safeguarding concerns must be avoided.
  • Inappropriate relationships, coercive influence, manipulation, dependency creation, harassment, or abuse of professional trust are strictly prohibited.

Where appropriate, risk assessments, safeguarding precautions, session records, chaperoning arrangements, check-in procedures, or professional safeguards may be implemented for one-to-one, remote, private, or higher-risk sessions.

  1. Insurance and Professional Scope

Practitioners working under or representing Mystic Wellness Ltd must work only within their level of competence, qualifications, training, insurance cover, and professional scope of practice.

  1. Touch-Based and Hands-On Therapies (Children and Young People)

Touch-based or hands-on therapies may only be provided to individuals under the age of 18 where:

  • prior written consent has been obtained from a parent or legal guardian;
  • a parent or legal guardian is present throughout the entire session;
  • the therapy is appropriate for the child’s age, wellbeing, and individual needs; and
  • the therapy is delivered within the practitioner’s professional competence, safeguarding requirements, and insurance cover.

We reserve the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate any session involving a minor where safeguarding concerns arise or where appropriate consent and supervision requirements are not fully me

  1. Touch-Based and Hands-On Therapies (Adults)

Where services involve touch-based or hands-on therapies, including Reiki, Sound Healing, Sound Bath, Gong Bath, grounding techniques, or any other physical therapeutic contact, informed touch consent must always be obtained before treatment begins.

Clients retain the right to decline, limit, pause, or withdraw consent to touch at any time without explanation, and this must be respected immediately.

All touch must remain professional, appropriate, necessary, proportionate, and within the practitioner’s training, competence, insurance cover, and professional scope of practice.

No unnecessary, excessive, intimate, or inappropriate physical contact is permitted under any circumstances.

Practitioners must explain the nature and purpose of touch-based techniques before commencing treatment wherever reasonably practicable.

  1. Spiritual and Energetic Work

Mystic Wellness Ltd recognises that some services involve spiritual, energetic, or faith-adjacent practices including Reiki, meditation, sound healing, intention setting, mindfulness, and related holistic approaches.

Mystic Wellness Ltd aims to provide spiritually respectful, culturally sensitive, and inclusive services while maintaining professional boundaries, safeguarding standards, and lawful practice

All spiritual or energetic work must be delivered ethically, transparently, respectfully, and without coercion, manipulation, undue influence, dependency creation, fear-based messaging, or exploitation.

Practitioners must never impose personal spiritual beliefs, ideologies, political beliefs, religious views, or personal opinions on clients or students.

Clients must always retain full autonomy, informed consent, personal choice, and the right to withdraw from participation at any time.

Where appropriate, clients may be encouraged or referred to qualified medical, safeguarding, psychological, counselling, social care, or emergency support services where concerns fall outside the practitioner’s competence, qualifications, insurance cover, or professional scope of practice.

Spiritual vulnerability must be treated as a safeguarding consideration, particularly where clients may be emotionally vulnerable, grieving, traumatised, highly suggestible, or experiencing mental health difficulties.

Mystic Wellness Ltd does not claim that spiritual or holistic services diagnose, cure, prevent, or replace professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, or clinical treatment.

 

  1. Mental Health Crisis and Emergency Support Disclaimer

Mystic Wellness Ltd does not provide crisis intervention, psychiatric services, emergency mental health care, or medical treatment. Individuals experiencing severe mental distress, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, medical emergencies, or crisis situations should seek immediate support from qualified medical professionals, emergency services, NHS services, or appropriate crisis support organisations.

  1. Online Safeguarding

Safeguarding applies equally to online services.

Online sessions involving minors (under 18, for therapies only) or vulnerable adults must only proceed where appropriate parental, guardian, carer, or responsible adult oversight is in place where required.

Practitioners and participants must:

  • use secure platforms where possible;
  • protect privacy and confidentiality;
  • ensure suitable environments for online participation;
  • report inappropriate online conduct immediately;
  • avoid private inappropriate communication with minors or vulnerable adults.
  • maintain professional digital boundaries.

Sessions may be terminated where inappropriate behaviour, safeguarding risks, abusive conduct, harassment, unlawful activity, or breaches of safeguarding standards occur

  1. Retreats, Events and Offsite Venues

Where services are delivered at external venues, retreats, residential events, festivals, community spaces, or third-party premises, Mystic Wellness Ltd will take reasonable safeguarding and safety measures appropriate to the environment, activity, participant group, and operational risks.

Participants attending external venues are expected to follow venue rules, safety guidance, behavioural expectations, and safeguarding requirements at all times.

  1. Photography, Filming and Social Media

Photographs, videos, recordings, livestreams, or social media content involving participants must only be created, used, or shared lawfully, respectfully, and with appropriate consent where required.

No images or recordings of children, vulnerable adults, private sessions, or safeguarding-sensitive situations may be shared without appropriate authorisation and consent.

Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to prohibit photography, filming, or recording during sessions, workshops, retreats, or events where safeguarding, privacy, confidentiality, or wellbeing concerns arise.

  1. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Possible indicators may include:

  • unexplained injuries;
  • signs of fear, distress, or withdrawal;
  • disclosures of abuse;
  • inappropriate sexualised behaviour;
  • neglect or poor self-care;
  • repeated missed appointments linked to coercion or abuse;
  • online exploitation indicators;
  • behaviour suggesting self-harm or suicidal ideation.
  • concerns relating to spiritual manipulation, coercion, dependency, or boundary violations within therapeutic or spiritual practice;

Concerns must always be taken seriously.

No individual should assume that another person has already reported a safeguarding concern.

  1. Responding to a Disclosure

If someone discloses abuse or harm:

  • remain calm;
  • listen carefully;
  • do not promise absolute confidentiality;
  • reassure the individual they have done the right thing;
  • do not investigate personally;
  • record facts accurately and objectively;
  • report immediately through the safeguarding process.

Safeguarding records should include dates, times, factual observations, actions taken, and details of referrals made where applicable.

  1. Reporting Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may be raised by participants, staff, practitioners, visitors, third parties, or anonymously where appropriate. All concerns will be considered seriously and assessed proportionately.

All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately to the designated safeguarding lead within Mystic Wellness Ltd.

Where there is immediate danger or risk of serious harm, emergency services must be contacted by calling 999.

Any concern involving inappropriate touch, boundary violations, or misuse of spiritual authority must be treated as a safeguarding concern and reported immediately.

Concerns may also be referred to:

  • NSPCC
  • Local Authority Safeguarding Team
  • Police
  • Social Services;
  • relevant regulatory or professional bodies where appropriate.

Where legally required, referrals will be made without delay.

Anyone reporting a safeguarding concern in good faith will be treated seriously and protected from victimisation or retaliation wherever reasonably possible.

  1. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and confidentially; however, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is risk of harm, legal obligation, safeguarding necessity, insurance requirement, or regulatory obligation to disclose information.

Information will be shared only on a lawful need-to-know basis and in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Where appropriate, information may be shared with safeguarding authorities, law enforcement, insurers, legal advisers, medical professionals, or regulatory bodies.

  1. Record Keeping

All safeguarding concerns, disclosures, referrals, investigations, and actions taken must be recorded clearly, factually, securely, and promptly.

Records must be retained securely, safeguarding records will be retained only for as long as reasonably necessary in accordance with legal obligations, insurance requirements, safeguarding guidance, and applicable data protection legislation.

Safeguarding records will be accessible only to authorised persons with a legitimate safeguarding or legal need to access the information.

  1. Training and Awareness

Mystic Wellness Ltd. will ensure appropriate safeguarding awareness and training is maintained for relevant practitioners, staff, and representatives.

Safeguarding knowledge should be reviewed regularly and updated where legislation, guidance, operational risks, or best practice changes.

Additional safeguarding training may be required for individuals working directly with children, young people, adults at risk, or vulnerable individuals.

  1. Allegations Against Staff or Practitioners

Mystic Wellness Ltd recognises that safeguarding procedures must protect both individuals raising concerns and persons subject to allegations. All allegations will be handled fairly, proportionately, confidentially, and in accordance with natural justice principles wherever possible.

Any allegation made against a practitioner, trainer, volunteer, contractor, student, or representative of Mystic Wellness Ltd. will be taken seriously, investigated appropriately, and managed in accordance with relevant legal, safeguarding, disciplinary, insurance, and regulatory procedures.

Where necessary, temporary suspension, restriction of duties, or removal from activities may occur while concerns are reviewed.

Where required by law or safeguarding guidance, concerns may be referred to external safeguarding authorities, the police, local authorities, DBS, insurers, or professional bodies.

  1. Whistleblowing

All staff, practitioners, contractors, volunteers, and students are encouraged to report concerns regarding unsafe practice, misconduct, unethical behaviour, safeguarding failures, abuse, discrimination, harassment, or unlawful activity without fear of retaliation.

Concerns will be handled seriously, confidentially, and fairly wherever reasonably possible.

Retaliation against any individual raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith may result in disciplinary action.

  1. Safeguarding Complaints

Any individual who has safeguarding concerns, complaints, or concerns regarding practitioner conduct, professional boundaries, unsafe behaviour, discrimination, harassment, or wellbeing practices may raise concerns directly with Mystic Wellness Ltd.

Complaints will be reviewed fairly, appropriately, confidentially, and in accordance with applicable safeguarding, legal, and organisational procedures

  1. Breach of Policy

Failure to comply with this Safeguarding Policy may result in disciplinary action, suspension, removal from services, termination of engagement, removal from training, cancellation of participation, refusal of future services, or referral to external authorities where appropriate.

Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to take immediate protective action where safeguarding risks are identified.

Mystic Wellness Ltd reserves the right to end, refuse, suspend, postpone, or withdraw services, participation, or access where safeguarding concerns, abusive behaviour, harassment, boundary violations, safety concerns, unlawful conduct, discrimination, or inappropriate behaviour arise.

  1. Changes to This Policy

Mystic Wellness Ltd may update this Policy from time to time to reflect legal, regulatory, operational, safeguarding, or best practice developments. Any updates will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Continued use of services after updates may constitute acceptance of the revised Policy where legally permitted.

  1. Acknowledgement

All practitioners, staff, contractors, volunteers, and relevant students working with or representing Mystic Wellness Ltd. must read, understand, and agree to comply with this Safeguarding Policy.

By attending or participating in services provided by Mystic Wellness Ltd., clients, students, participants, and attendees acknowledge that they have read, understood, and accepted this Safeguarding Policy