Safeguarding Policy

1. Our commitment

Lived. is committed to creating a safe environment for every person who uses the platform. We recognise that many of our users are neurodivergent adults who may also experience mental health challenges, and that peer support, while powerful, carries responsibility.

This policy sets out how we protect the wellbeing of consumers and consultants, what we expect from everyone on the platform, and what to do if a safeguarding concern arises.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All consumers using Lived. to seek peer support
• All Lived Experience Consultants operating through the platform
• Lived. staff and founders

Relevant legislation includes the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and statutory guidance under Keeping Adults Safe in England.

3. What Lived. is — and is not

Lived. is a peer support platform. Sessions are conversations between people with shared lived experience of neurodivergence. They are not therapy, counselling, psychiatric treatment, or medical advice. Consultants are not clinicians.

If you need clinical support:

• Speak to your GP for assessment and referral
• Contact NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) for psychological therapies
• Access crisis support via NHS 111, Samaritans (116 123), or SHOUT (text 85258)

4. Consultant requirements

Every Lived Experience Consultant must:

• Complete a Lived. application and be approved by the founding team before accepting bookings
• Hold or commit to obtaining a valid DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Enhanced Check
• Sign and adhere to the Lived. Safeguarding Commitment before their first session
• Disclose any changes to their DBS status to Lived. immediately
• Complete safeguarding awareness training (or evidence equivalent prior training)

5. Session boundaries

All consultants must:

• Keep sessions to the agreed format and duration
• Not provide clinical diagnoses or treatment recommendations
• Not accept money outside the Lived. platform
• Not continue contact with consumers outside the platform without the consumer's explicit consent and Lived.'s knowledge
• Not share a consumer's information with any third party

6. Recognising a safeguarding concern

A safeguarding concern may arise if a consumer:

• Discloses thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Indicates they are at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation from another person
• Appears to be in immediate danger
• Discloses information suggesting a child or vulnerable adult in their life is at risk

7. What consultants must do if a concern arises

1. Stay calm and do not end the session abruptly. Acknowledge what the person has shared.
2. Signpost to crisis support — share the Samaritans number (116 123) or NHS 111 and encourage them to reach out.
3. If there is immediate risk to life, encourage the person to call 999 or call it yourself if you have reason to believe someone is in imminent danger.
4. Do not promise confidentiality in a situation involving risk of serious harm.
5. Report to Lived. as soon as the session ends — email safeguarding@joinlived.co.uk with a factual account of what occurred. Do not include personal opinions or judgements.

Lived. founders will review all safeguarding reports within 24 hours and determine whether escalation to statutory services is required.

8. Confidentiality and information sharing

Information shared in sessions is confidential. However, confidentiality is not absolute. Consultants may need to share information without consent if:

• There is a serious and immediate risk to someone's life
• There is a risk of serious harm to a child or vulnerable adult
• Required to do so by law

Any information sharing must be proportionate, necessary, and reported to Lived. immediately.

9. Reporting a concern about a consultant

If you are a consumer and have a safeguarding concern about a consultant's behaviour, contact us immediately at safeguarding@joinlived.co.uk. All reports are treated seriously, investigated promptly, and handled in confidence.

If a consultant is found to have breached this policy, their access to the platform will be suspended pending investigation.

10. Review

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if there is a safeguarding incident or a change in relevant legislation. Questions about this policy should be directed to safeguarding@joinlived.co.uk.