Terms and Conditions of Peer Support

Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before participating in this service. By accessing and using Pregnancy Sickness Support’s Peer Support service, you agree to the terms outlined below. If you do not agree, please refrain from applying for the service, as participation constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Please also review our Privacy Policy, which is also accepted through participation.

Our Commitments

• Service Definition: The Peer Support service is a relationship between a volunteer recruited by Pregnancy Sickness Support (PSS) and you, the service user, for ongoing emotional support via text, WhatsApp, phone, or email during your pregnancy.
• Training and Policies: We ensure that all volunteer peer supporters receive appropriate training and are familiar with relevant policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR, and privacy.
• Matching Process: We aim to match you with a peer supporter within 5 working days of your application. This may take longer if we require additional information from you or if an initial interview with the Helpline Support Manager is necessary.
• Contact Timeline: Once matched, your peer supporter will reach out to you within 48 hours.
• Personalised Matching: We strive to match you with a volunteer who has similar experiences or a shared background. Matching based on location is also possible if preferred.

Your Commitments

In return for our services, we ask that you:

• Initial Consultation: Participate in an initial interview with the Helpline Support Manager or Volunteer Manager.
• Respectful Communication: Communicate respectfully with your peer supporter.
• No Requests for Financial Aid: Refrain from asking your peer supporter for money, gifts, or other material support.
• Regular Contact: Stay in contact with your peer supporter at least once a month. If no contact is made for over two months, we may terminate the service. 

Managing Expectations

• Emotional Support: Our service provides emotional support but does not replace professional therapy or treatment. If you need mental health support, please consult your GP or midwife for a referral to the perinatal mental health team.
• Volunteer Availability: Peer supporters are volunteers and may not always be immediately available. They will endeavour to respond within 24-48 hours. If delays are frequent, we can explore alternative support options, such as a group chat.
• Rematching: If your match is not working out, we can arrange a rematch or offer alternative support options. To make changes, please contact us at volunteer@pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk.
• Complaints: If you have a complaint, please contact the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk If your complaint involves the Volunteer Manager, please reach out to the CEO at charlotte@pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk

Termination of Service

• Ending Service: If you wish to end your peer support, please notify the Helpline Support Manager or Volunteer Manager. If we do not hear from you for over two months, we reserve the right to terminate the service.

Safeguarding & Confidentiality

• Disclosure of Personal Information: Service users may disclose personal information that could raise safeguarding concerns. We are committed to providing a safe space but must work within our professional limits, which may include referring service users to appropriate support.
• Legal Safeguarding Responsibilities: Under the Care Act 2014, we have legal obligations to safeguard adults and children. Our Safeguarding Policy outlines the procedures we follow to respond, report, and record any concerns.
• Reporting Safeguarding Concerns: If we believe a child or vulnerable adult is at risk, we may report the concern, following our safeguarding procedures:
1. Immediate Risks: These will be reported to emergency services.
2. Non-Immediate Risks: We will discuss the concern with the adult involved to determine their views and preferred actions. If the concern involves a child, we may refer to and work with the local authority children’s social care to support the child, adults and the family involved.
3. Volunteer Procedures: Volunteers are required to report safeguarding concerns directly to us. They are not expected to make referrals but must respond to immediate risks (point 1).
• Consent for Referrals: We will always seek consent before making referrals unless doing so would place the adult or child at significant harm. In urgent cases, we will proceed without consent and record our decision.

For more information or support, please contact the CEO, Charlotte Howden, at charlotte@pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk

By participating in our Peer Support service, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.