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Risk Policy Overview

Sanctus risk & safeguarding policy

Overview for Sanctus partners

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Roles and responsibilities within this policy
  3. Sanctus definition of risk
  4. Risk flowchart
  5. Assessing risk
  6. Rating the risk and taking action
  7. Immediate threat – emergency protocol
  8. Immediate threat – emergency protocol (UK based)
  9. Short-medium term threat (UK based)
  10. International high risk: immediate threat across borders
  11. Steps for immediate threat high risk across borders
  12. After the session (for high risk only)
  13. Disclaimer for immediate threat high risk across borders
  14. Our commitment to safe practice
  15. Shared understanding of limitations
  16. Support for coaches
  17. All coaches are required to
  18. Refusal policy

Introduction

This policy aims to:

  • Support coaches in feeling equipped to handle risk
  • Protect the safety of our coaches
  • Protect the safety of our clients via consistent upskilling of Sanctus coaches
  • Safeguard our coaches and partners’ employees
  • Ensure Sanctus follows ethical guidelines of relevant coaching bodies
  • Ensure organisational safety of Sanctus and its practitioners

This policy applies to all Sanctus coaching products, including drop-in, connected leadership and other packages. It forms part of the ICF-accredited risk training provided by Sanctus Coaching.

Roles and responsibilities within this policy

  • Sanctus coach – deliver one-to-one coaching, assess risk in session and apply this policy’s guidelines.
  • Practice lead – review and update this policy, support coaches after high-risk protocols and ensure secure record-keeping.
  • Supervisor – facilitate group reflection, support coach development, wellbeing and professional standards.
  • Partner point of contact – serve as first port of call in partner organisation for Sanctus HQ representatives.

Sanctus definition of risk

Sanctus defines “risk” as mental health challenges outside the scope of coaching that cannot be safely or effectively addressed within the Sanctus coaching space. An individual “at risk” poses a threat to their own safety or that of others, in the immediate, short or medium term.

Per the ICF white paper: “When issues are raised by a client that are outside the scope of services, it falls under a coach’s ethical responsibility to help the client identify and access other resources.”

High-risk scenarios include:

  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Self-harm behaviours
  • Risk of harm to others
  • Substance abuse or addiction
  • Severe depression or anxiety
  • PTSD or trauma symptoms
  • Psychotic, dissociative or regressive symptoms

Low-medium-risk instances may also warrant referral to therapy or other support.

Risk flowchart

[Insert risk flowchart graphic here]

Assessing risk

Sanctus coaches follow these steps to assess risk:

  • Notice warning signs
  • Gather relevant information on severity
  • Ask for coachee details (phone number and current location)
  • Rate risk as low, medium, high or immediate
  • Take appropriate action

Contracting at the start of coaching includes explaining confidentiality limits in case of safety risk.

Rating the risk and taking action

Coaches assess how immediate the risk is to determine the response.

No risk – coaching is appropriate; no action needed.

Low-medium risk – not an immediate threat but outside coaching scope. Use empowerment support: signpost resources, explain options and help coachee plan next steps.

High risk – threat to self or others requiring rapid action. In emergencies, coaches remain calm, non-judgemental, reassure coachee, identify safety factors and access resources quickly.

Immediate threat – emergency protocol

“Immediate threat” is a present plan to self-harm or harm others that may be enacted during or immediately after the session.

If cross-border, follow “Steps for immediate threat high risk across borders”. Otherwise, follow UK protocol below.

Immediate threat – emergency protocol (UK based)

  • Contract for safety – agree immediate distancing from harm.
  • Call 999 – obtain coachee location; stay with coachee until help arrives.
  • Contact loved one – co-create plan to reach A&E together if preferred.
  • Aftercare – seek support for coach via practiceleads@sanctus.io.

Short-medium term threat (UK based)

“Short-medium term threat” involves ideation without a plan. Coach should:

  • Contract for safety
  • Discuss past coping strategies and support contacts
  • Help coachee plan next steps: GP, 111, helplines (Samaritans 116 123; Papyrus 0800 068 4141), EAP, HR
  • Provide helpline and directory information
  • Co-call GP or loved one if coachee agrees

After the session (for high risk only)

  • Handle risk fully during session to avoid follow-up emails
  • Log incident in risk procedure checklist and complete one-page report
  • Send log and report to Practice Leads immediately
  • Discuss coach wellbeing with Practice Lead before end of day
  • Bring topic to next supervision session

International high risk: immediate threat across borders

Coaches may work across borders. Local emergency numbers cannot reach foreign services. Follow cross-border protocol below.

Steps for immediate threat high risk across borders

  • Contract for safety
  • Ask coachee to contact local emergency services or A&E
  • If coachee can’t, share coachee name and location with bookings@sanctus.io, practiceleads@sanctus.io and partnerteam@sanctus.io
  • Inform coachee support is arranged
  • Stay connected until risk is handed over
  • If cross-border short-medium threat, follow short-medium process and provide international helplines

Disclaimer for immediate threat high risk across borders

Sanctus recognises limitations in cross-border response: jurisdictional, legal and logistical constraints may delay or limit emergency support. Coaches cannot dial foreign services from the UK.

Our commitment to safe practice

  • Communicate scope and boundaries during onboarding
  • Use clear language in marketing and T & Cs
  • Train coaches annually and review policy regularly
  • Proactively signpost other interventions as needed
  • Provide immediate HQ support when required
  • Offer supervision and annual risk training

Shared understanding of limitations

  • Local infrastructure may constrain responses
  • Cross-border information sharing can be delayed
  • Immediate action is not guaranteed if location is unknown or withheld

Support for coaches

Sanctus equips coaches with:

  • Structured risk protocols
  • Clear escalation and communication paths
  • Immediate team support
  • Annual risk training and supervision

All coaches are required to

  • Attend risk training and supervision regularly
  • Follow the Sanctus risk policy
  • Hold professional liability insurance for cross-border coaching

Refusal policy

Sanctus coaches may refuse coaching or access if they feel threatened physically, psychologically or emotionally, including psychotic or unsafe behaviours.

  • Address concerns with the individual if safe
  • Raise issue with Practice Team or in supervision
  • Break confidentiality and block bookings if unresolved
  • Notify partner HR and police if necessary

This refusal policy is stated in our Terms and Conditions, which all users must accept to book a session.

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