Our Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy

This is a summary of Healthy Mind Centre's Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy, which outlines our commitment to keeping children safe and ensuring their well-being in all of our services. We follow strict guidelines to protect children from harm and to make sure our staff are well-trained in child safety practices.

If you would like to read the full Child Safety Policy or have any questions about our child safety practices, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to provide a copy upon request.

Summary of Key Policy Areas

At HMC, we are deeply committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people who access our services. We have put in place clear policies and procedures that guide our staff in creating a safe and supportive environment. These measures help us protect children from harm and ensure that everyone involved in our services understands their role in keeping children safe.

Child Safety Commitment
We prioritise child safety in everything we do. Our goal is to provide a safe space for children, where they are respected and protected from harm. We ensure that all our staff and volunteers are trained to recognise and respond to child safety concerns.

Safe Environments
We take steps to create safe physical and online spaces for children. Our practice is designed with children in mind, including child-friendly spaces and clear supervision. We also ensure the safety of our online services by protecting children from inappropriate content and unauthorised access.

Staff Training and Support
Our staff and volunteers receive regular training to help them recognise the signs of abuse or harm and respond appropriately. They also have access to ongoing support and mentorship to address any challenges they may face in their work with children.

Handling Complaints
We take complaints seriously. If a complaint involves staff or volunteers, we ensure it is investigated fairly and independently. We support those making complaints and take appropriate action if a staff member is found to have acted inappropriately. This could include additional training, suspension, or dismissal if necessary.

Emergency Preparedness
We are prepared for emergencies, both in our physical spaces and online. We have clear plans for evacuation, responding to online threats, and communicating with families in emergencies. Key staff are trained in first aid and are available to assist if needed.

Continuous Improvement
We regularly review and improve our policies, procedures, and environments to keep up with best practices in child safety. We also monitor risks and update our safety measures as needed to ensure a secure environment for children.

Policies and Procedures
Our commitment to child safety is supported by several key documents, including our Child Safety and Well-being Policy, Child Safe Code of Conduct, and Risk Management Plans. These policies ensure that all actions we take are in line with our mission to protect and care for children.

At HMC, we are dedicated to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all children, and we are always working to improve how we can better protect those in our care.