Inspired Mental Health Safeguarding Policies

  1. Inspired Empowerment
  2. Inspired Mental Health Safeguarding Policies

Inspired Mental Health Safeguarding Policies – Updated

This document includes safeguarding protocols for:

  1. One-to-one private sessions (community referrals)
  2. School or education-based sessions

Safeguarding Policy – One-to-One Private Sessions

This policy applies to one-to-one mentoring delivered by Inspired Mental Health to children or young people referred from the community, families, or other professionals.

All Inspired Mental Health practitioners are:

  • Fully qualified Belief Coding facilitators
  • Advanced DBS-checked
  • Trained in child-centred mentoring, mental health support, and safeguarding
  • Committed to professional boundaries, legal duties, and ethical mentoring practice

Referral & Consent

  • A completed referral form is required for every child
  • If under 16, signed parent/carer consent must be received before sessions start
  • Young people aged 16+ can self-consent, with emergency contact provided
  • Practitioners must gather key background info and risks prior to session start

Safeguarding Practice

  • Sessions must take place in approved, risk-assessed settings
  • Practitioners must not transport children without written, signed consent
  • Any safeguarding concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) within 24 hours
  • Concerns must be recorded securely, clearly, and factually
  • Practitioners must not promise confidentiality where there is risk of harm
  • Sessions are confidential unless a safeguarding issue is disclosed

Safeguarding Policy – School/Education-Based Sessions

This policy applies when practitioners are working in schools or educational settings through formal referral and partnership.

All practitioners are:

  • Fully trained Belief Coding facilitators
  • Advanced DBS-checked and safeguarding trained
  • Skilled in emotional regulation, safe mentoring, and child-led engagement

Referral Process

  • Referrals must be made by a member of staff
  • Parental consent must be obtained for all children under 16
  • Referrals must outline presenting issues, emotional needs, and emergency contact details

Mentor Safeguarding Responsibilities

  • Follow both the Inspired Mental Health safeguarding protocol and the school’s safeguarding policy
  • Report any safeguarding concerns to the school DSL and Inspired Mental Health DSL
  • Keep accurate and secure session notes
  • Ensure mentoring takes place in appropriate school-approved locations
  • Communicate regularly with the referring staff member for joined-up support

Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility

  • Practitioners work in partnership with school DSLs, family workers, and wellbeing teams to ensure every child is safe, seen, and supported