Our commitments to you
At Belonging & Beyond, we believe in transparency, trust, and the protection of the children and families we work with. The documents below set out how we handle your information, what to expect from our services, and how we keep children safe.
Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
Belonging & Beyond is a UK-based organisation providing Life Story Work, trauma-informed therapeutic training, and support services for children's residential care providers. Our registered address is [INSERT REGISTERED ADDRESS], and our company registration number is [INSERT COMPANY NUMBER].
We are registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) under registration number [INSERT ICO REGISTRATION NUMBER]. You can contact us about privacy matters at hello@belongingandbeyond.co.uk or write to our Data Protection Officer at [INSERT DPO CONTACT DETAILS].
2. What information we collect
We only collect information that necessary to provide our therapeutic services safely and effectively. This may include:
- Names and contact details of referring professionals, carers, and family members
- Information about a child's history, placement, and clinical needs (gathered with appropriate consent)
- Correspondence and enquiry data submitted through our website or by email
- Information required for safeguarding, risk assessment, and clinical record-keeping
3. Why we use your information
We use personal information to deliver therapeutic services, maintain clinical records, comply with safeguarding and safeguarding legislation, and respond to enquiries. Where information is gathered about a child in care, this is done with the consent of those holding parental responsibility or legal guardianship, and only the minimum necessary is processed.
4. Legal basis for processing
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, we process personal data on the following legal bases:
- Consent - when you contact us or enquire about our services
- Legitimate interest - to provide services you have commissioned from us
- Legal obligation - where we are required to hold records for safeguarding or clinical purposes
- Special category data - information about a child's history or clinical needs is processed under the lawful basis described in our ICO entry, with appropriate safeguards in place
5. How we share information
We do not sell or rent personal data. Information is shared only where necessary for therapeutic delivery, legal compliance, or safeguarding. This may include sharing relevant clinical information with referring professionals, social workers, or local authorities, always within the bounds of appropriate consent and professional responsibility.
6. How long we keep information
We retain personal information for no longer than is necessary. Clinical records relating to therapeutic work with children are held in accordance with professional and regulatory requirements [INSERT SPECIFIC RETENTION PERIOD]. General enquiry data is reviewed and securely removed when no longer needed.
7. Your rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right to:
- Access the personal data we hold about you
- Request correction of inaccurate information
- Request the deletion of your data (subject to legal and clinical obligations)
- Object to the processing of your data in certain circumstances
- Request a copy of your data in a portable format
To exercise any of these rights, please contact hello@belongingandbeyond.co.uk. We will respond within 30 days, as required by the GDPR.
8. Data security
We take protecting personal information seriously. We use appropriate technical and organisational measures - including encryption, secure storage, and controlled access - to safeguard data against unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure. Access to clinical information about children is restricted to trained clinicians who hold a clear DBS check and are bound by professional confidentiality.
9. Transferring data outside the UK
We do not transfer personal data outside the UK unless necessary for clinical purposes, and only where appropriate safeguards are in place. Where data is processed using third-party tools, we ensure that data processing agreements are in place.
10. Changes to this policy
This policy was last reviewed on [INSERT DATE]. We may update it from time to time to reflect changes in our practice or legal requirements. Any significant changes will be noted on this page.
Therapeutic Care
Every child deserves to know their story. Every carer deserves to have the knowledge to be able to provide the best therapeutic care.
1. Our commitment to therapeutic care
Therapeutic care is at the heart of everything we do. Every child matters, and every decision we make is guided by the question: is this the right thing for this child, at this moment? We embed trauma-informed, therapeutic principles into every aspect of our life story work, training, and consultancy, so that children feel held, heard, and understood.
2. Helping every child know their story
Children in care often carry fragmented memories and unanswered questions about their past. Our Therapeutic Life Story Work helps children piece together their narrative in a safe, supported way — giving meaning to their experiences and a sense of identity, belonging, and hope for the future. We move at the child's pace, led by their readiness and emotional needs.
3. Equipping carers with the right knowledge
Carers do extraordinary work, and they deserve the knowledge and confidence to provide the best therapeutic care. Through training, reflective consultation, and ongoing support, we help carers and professionals:
- Understand the impact of trauma, loss, and disrupted attachment on a child's behaviour and development
- Respond therapeutically to distress, dysregulation, and difficult questions about a child's history
- Support a child's identity and life story work with sensitivity and honesty
- Build safe, trusting, and consistent relationships that help children heal
- Recognise their own wellbeing and access reflective support when needed
4. A trauma-informed approach
All of our therapeutic care is trauma-informed. We recognise that behaviour is communication, that safety (physical and emotional) comes first, and that healing happens within relationships. Our clinicians and trainers are trained in attachment, developmental trauma, and therapeutic life story work, and bring this lens to every interaction.
5. Working alongside carers and professionals
We don't work in isolation. Therapeutic care is a shared endeavour. We collaborate with carers, social workers, residential teams, and local authorities to ensure the child's world feels joined-up and consistent. Where appropriate, we share strategies, resources, and reflective space with the network around the child.
6. Confidentiality
Information shared with us during therapeutic work, consultancy, or training is held in strict confidence. We will not share information about a child or family without consent, except where safeguarding or legal obligations require us to act. In those rare circumstances, we will share only what is necessary, with the appropriate authorities.
7. Review
This statement is reviewed annually by [INSERT REVIEWER NAME/ROLE] and was last reviewed on [INSERT DATE].
Terms of Service
1. About these terms
These terms set out how Belonging & Beyond provides services to commissioning organisations, professionals, and families. By commissioning our services, you agree to these terms. They are written in plain language wherever possible. If you would like to discuss them, please contact hello@belongingandbeyond.co.uk.
2. Our services
We provide therapeutic services including Life Story Work, trauma-informed therapeutic training, clinical consultancy, and direct clinical support. Every service is delivered by trained clinicians who hold the appropriate professional registration and DBS clearance. The nature of therapeutic work with children is delicate and unique - each programme is tailored to the child, the family, and the context.
3. Commissioning and referrals
Services are commissioned through an initial consultation and referral. We will discuss the child's needs, history, and current circumstances to determine whether our therapeutic approach is suitable. We reserve the right to decline or pause a referral where the safety, wellbeing, or clinical appropriateness of the therapeutic approach is in question. The wellbeing of the child always guides our decisions.
4. Fees and invoicing
Fees for therapeutic services are agreed during the initial consultation. Invoices are issued by Belonging & Beyond, registered company number [INSERT COMPANY NUMBER]. Payment terms are [INSERT PAYMENT TERMS]. We may discuss reduced fees in certain circumstances - please speak with us directly.
5. Cancellations
We require [INSERT NOTICE PERIOD] notice to cancel or reschedule therapeutic sessions. Where a session is cancelled with less than the required notice, a charge of [INSERT CANCELLATION FEE] may apply. We understand life is unpredictable, particularly in therapeutic work with children, and we will always handle cancellations with compassion and flexibility where possible.
6. Confidentiality and records
All clinical records are held securely and confidentially, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and professional requirements. Records are retained for [INSERT RETENTION PERIOD] and then securely destroyed. Access to records is limited to clinicians involved in the child's therapeutic journey.
7. Complaints
If you have a concern about our services, please contact hello@belongingandbeyond.co.uk in the first instance. We will acknowledge your complaint within [INSERT TIMEFRAME] working days and work with you to find a resolution. We take every concern seriously and use them to improve our practice.
8. Liability
While we deliver therapeutic services with care and professional standards, we cannot guarantee specific clinical outcomes for individual children. Therapeutic work is a collaborative process and outcomes depend on many factors. Our liability is limited to the fees paid for the service in question, as set out under UK law.
9. Changes to terms
We may update these terms from time to time. The current version was published on [INSERT DATE]. Continued commissioning of services constitutes acceptance of any updated terms.
Questions about any of this?
We're always happy to talk. If you have a question about how we handle information, protect children, or deliver services - please get in touch.