Safeguarding Policy

Mentorium Minds

Policy Owner: Maryam Aslam
Email: maryam@mentoriumminds.co.uk
Version: 1.0
Effective Date: July 2026
Review Date: July 2027

1. Purpose

Mentorium Minds is committed to providing a safe, respectful and supportive environment for all clients.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. This policy outlines how Mentorium Minds seeks to protect the wellbeing of clients, recognise safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately where there is a risk of harm.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all services provided by Mentorium Minds, including:

  • Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) Specialist Mentoring (ASC)

  • Private Mentoring

  • Access to Work Coaching

  • Remote mentoring sessions

  • Face-to-face mentoring sessions

Although all clients are adults aged 18 and over, safeguarding responsibilities apply regardless of age whenever there are concerns about a person's safety or wellbeing.

3. Commitment

Mentorium Minds is committed to:

  • Providing a safe, inclusive and supportive environment.

  • Treating every client with dignity, respect and compassion.

  • Promoting independence whilst recognising when additional support may be required.

  • Taking all safeguarding concerns seriously.

  • Acting appropriately where there is a concern that someone may be at risk of harm.

  • Working within professional, legal and ethical boundaries.

4. What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting individuals from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional or psychological abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Financial abuse

  • Domestic abuse

  • Neglect

  • Coercive or controlling behaviour

  • Online abuse

  • Self-neglect

  • Modern slavery or exploitation

  • Radicalisation

5. Responsibilities

Maryam Aslam, Founder of Mentorium Minds, is responsible for:

  • Maintaining an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.

  • Working within professional and ethical standards.

  • Recognising potential safeguarding concerns.

  • Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

  • Keeping accurate, factual and confidential records.

  • Taking appropriate action where safeguarding concerns arise.

  • Completing a minimum of 10 hours of relevant continuing professional development (CPD) annually.

6. Confidentiality

Information shared during mentoring sessions will normally remain confidential.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is reason to believe:

  • a client is at immediate risk of serious harm;

  • another person is at immediate risk of serious harm;

  • a child or vulnerable adult may be at risk of abuse or neglect;

  • a criminal offence has been committed or may be committed;

  • disclosure is required by law.

Where appropriate and safe to do so, Mentorium Minds will discuss any decision to share information with the client before doing so.

Only information that is necessary and proportionate to protect the individual or others will be shared.

7. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

If a safeguarding concern arises, Mentorium Minds will:

  1. Listen carefully and remain calm.

  2. Take concerns seriously and avoid making promises of complete confidentiality.

  3. Record factual information accurately and objectively.

  4. Assess whether there is an immediate risk of harm.

  5. Encourage or support the client to access appropriate services* where suitable.

  6. Contact emergency services if there is an immediate risk to life.

  7. Share information with the relevant university, employer or statutory services where necessary to protect an individual from harm.

*Depending on the circumstances, clients may be encouraged or supported to access appropriate services, including:

  • University Wellbeing Services

  • University Disability or Student Support Services

  • Workplace Wellbeing Services

  • Occupational Health

  • Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)

  • General Practitioner (GP)

  • NHS Mental Health Services

  • Specialist charities or community support organisations

Where appropriate and with the client's knowledge, Mentorium Minds may also encourage clients to liaise with relevant university staff, employers or funding bodies to ensure they receive the most appropriate support.

8. Mental Health and Suicide Risk

Many clients accessing mentoring may experience mental health difficulties.

Mentorium Minds provides mentoring and practical support but is not a crisis or emergency mental health service.

Where a client expresses thoughts of suicide, serious self-harm or presents with concerns suggesting an immediate risk to their safety or the safety of others, appropriate action will be taken, which may include encouraging the client to access urgent support or contacting emergency services where necessary.

9. Professional Boundaries

Mentorium Minds provides mentoring and coaching rather than counselling, psychotherapy or crisis intervention.

Where a client's needs fall outside the scope of mentoring, they may be signposted or supported to access more appropriate services.

Mentorium Minds will work collaboratively with other professionals where appropriate and lawful to ensure clients receive the most appropriate support available.

10. Record Keeping

Any safeguarding concerns will be recorded securely.

Records will include, where appropriate:

  • the date and time of the concern;

  • factual information disclosed;

  • observations made;

  • actions taken;

  • referrals or disclosures made;

  • the rationale for any decisions.

Records will be stored securely in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

11. Training

Mentorium Minds is committed to maintaining professional knowledge through ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Safeguarding knowledge and professional practice will be reviewed regularly to ensure clients receive safe and effective support.

Contact

Maryam Aslam
Founder & Specialist Mentor (ASC)
Mentorium Minds

📧 maryam@mentoriumminds.co.uk