Safeguarding Policy – Physio From Home

Last Updated: February 2026

1. Policy Statement

Physio From Home is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults who use our services. We recognise that some adults may be at risk of harm or abuse, and we take our responsibility to protect them seriously.

This policy applies to all staff, contractors, physiotherapists, and anyone working on behalf of Physio From Home.

2. Scope

Our service is available only to adults aged 18 and over. This policy focuses on safeguarding adults at risk, defined under the Care Act 2014 as adults who:

• Have needs for care and support (whether or not these are being met)
• Are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
• Are unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect because of their care and support needs

3. Types of Abuse

We are alert to the following types of abuse:

Physical abuse: Including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint

Domestic abuse: Including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse by a partner or family member

Sexual abuse: Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate photography

Psychological abuse: Including threats, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation

Financial abuse: Including theft, fraud, exploitation, coercion in relation to financial affairs

Modern slavery: Including human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude

Neglect: Including ignoring medical needs, failure to provide access to services, withholding necessities

Self-neglect: Including neglecting personal hygiene, health, or surroundings

4. Our Commitments

We commit to:

• Treating all adults with dignity and respect
• Ensuring all physiotherapists reviewing assessments are HCPC registered and have appropriate safeguarding training
• Taking all concerns and disclosures seriously
• Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns
• Maintaining confidentiality appropriately while sharing information necessary to protect individuals
• Working with statutory agencies when required

5. Recognising Abuse in a Digital Context

As a digital service, our ability to observe physical signs of abuse is limited. However, our reviewing physiotherapists are trained to recognise potential indicators when reviewing assessment transcripts and uploaded medical images, including:

• Unexplained injuries inconsistent with the reported mechanism
• Repeated injuries or patterns of injury
• Disclosures of abuse during assessment conversations
• Expressions of fear, anxiety, or distress about home situation
• Indications of coercion or control
• Medical images that suggest non-accidental injury

Note on AI limitations: Our AI assessment tool is designed to gather clinical information and screen for medical red flags. While it may record disclosures made by patients during the conversation, the AI is not specifically trained to detect or respond to safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding identification and response is the responsibility of the qualified physiotherapists who review every assessment. If a patient discloses abuse or concerning circumstances during the AI conversation, this will be captured in the transcript and flagged by the reviewing physiotherapist.

6. Physiotherapist Responsibilities

All physiotherapists reviewing assessments for Physio From Home must:

• Review assessment transcripts with safeguarding awareness
• Review uploaded medical images for any indicators of non-accidental injury
• Report any safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead immediately
• Document concerns accurately
• Not investigate concerns themselves — report and let appropriate professionals take action
• Maintain up-to-date safeguarding training

7. What to Do if You Are a Patient Experiencing Abuse

If you are experiencing abuse:

• In an emergency, call 999
• Contact your local Adult Social Services
• Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
• You can disclose concerns during your assessment conversation — your reviewing physiotherapist will see this and can take appropriate action
• You can also contact us directly at help@physiofromhome.com (Subject: Safeguarding)

8. Information Sharing

We will share information with statutory agencies (such as Adult Social Services or Police) where necessary to protect an individual at risk. We will do so in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, which permit sharing where necessary to protect vital interests or for safeguarding purposes.

9. Mental Health Crisis

If during an assessment a patient expresses thoughts of self-harm or suicide:

Physiotherapists reviewing assessments are instructed to:

• – Take the disclosure seriously
• – Contact the patient (via email or by arranging a call) to offer support and signpost to appropriate services
• – Escalate to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• – Document the concern and any actions taken

Patients in crisis should contact:

• – Emergency services: 999 (if in immediate danger)
• – Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• – Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
• – NHS 111 (for urgent but non-emergency support)

Note: Our AI assessment tool does not currently provide real-time crisis intervention. If a patient discloses self-harm or suicidal ideation during the AI conversation, this will be captured in the transcript and identified by the reviewing physiotherapist, who will follow the escalation procedure above. Patients in immediate crisis should contact emergency services directly.

10. Training and Awareness

All physiotherapists working with Physio From Home are required to have up-to-date safeguarding training. Staff are trained to recognise signs of abuse and understand their responsibilities under this policy.

11. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any safeguarding incident, changes in legislation, or significant changes to our service.

12. Contact

For safeguarding concerns, contact:

Email: help@physiofromhome.com (Subject: Safeguarding)

In an emergency, always call 999