Mind's safeguarding team

I need help right now

Mind's safeguarding team is not a crisis helpline. If you need urgent help, Mind can support you.

Urgent help

What the safeguarding team does

We promote a culture of safety, respect, empathy, equity and unconditional support for people struggling with their mental health.
We work proactively to respond to safeguarding concerns whilst improving the wellbeing of everyone.
Mind is committed to safer recruitment. We prioritise integrity so the right people are upholding and demonstrating our values across the organisation.

When does the safeguarding team gets involved?

The safeguarding team supports staff and volunteers across Mind when there are concerns about:

The safety or wellbeing of a child or young person
The safety or wellbeing of an adult at risk
Possible abuse, neglect or exploitation
Situations where someone may be at risk of harm to themselves or others

How safeguarding concerns are managed

When a safeguarding concern is raised, it is reviewed by Mind's safeguarding team. The team assesses the information provided, considers any immediate risks, and decides what action is needed.

Depending on the nature of the concern, this may include:

Gathering further information from relevant teams
Providing advice and guidance to staff or volunteers
Working with managers to put support measures in place
Referring concerns to statutory agencies where appropriate
Monitoring cases until appropriate action has been taken

All safeguarding concerns are handled sensitively and in line with Mind's safeguarding policies and legal responsibilities.

Confidentiality and information sharing

Safeguarding concerns are treated with care and respect. Information is only shared with people who need it to help protect someone's safety and wellbeing, in line with the law.

Complaints

If you're unhappy about something, Mind has a complaints process that will make sure your concerns are looked into. 

Make a complaint about Mind

Protects people from harm

The team works to prevent and respond to:

Abuse or neglect (physical, emotional, sexual, financial)
Exploitation
Unsafe situations linked to mental health vulnerability
Poor practice or boundary breaches by staff or volunteers

This applies across local Minds, national services, helplines, campaigns, and online activity.

Handles safeguarding concerns and referrals

If someone is worried about a person’s safety, the safeguarding team:

Receives and assesses safeguarding concerns
Advises staff or volunteers on what action to take
Decides when concerns need escalating to external agencies (like social services or the police)
Ensures concerns are recorded and followed up appropriately

Sets safeguarding policies and standards

We:

Develop and maintain Mind’s safeguarding policies and procedures
Make sure those policies align with UK safeguarding law and best practice
Set clear expectations for how staff and volunteers must behave

This helps ensure consistent safeguarding across the whole Mind network.

What the safeguarding team cannot help with

While Mind’s safeguarding team works to protect children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, there are some things we are not able to deal with directly. Here's where you can find support instead.

Urgent help

Mind has support available immediately if you need help right now.

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Complaints

Mind has a complaints process that will make sure your concerns are looked into.

>>

Contacting the safeguarding team

If you have a concern you think the safeguarding team should know about, you can send us an email.

Email the safeguarding team

Our advisors are available 9am - 6pm every weekday. We try to get back to every email as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 3 days for a response.