Safeguarding Statement

Mothermind Limited is committed to safeguarding the welfare of adults and children who come into contact with our service. We recognise that the people we work with may be in vulnerable life stages, including pregnancy, loss, fertility treatment, and the transition to parenthood, and that safeguarding concerns can arise in any of these contexts.

We follow the principles set out in:

• Care Act 2014 (adult safeguarding);
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023);
• The Children Acts 1989 and 2004;
• Mental Capacity Act 2005;
• guidance from the Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Midwives, and the NMC Code.

• all Mothermind practitioners, employees, contractors, and volunteers;
• all employers and employees accessing Mothermind at Work;
• anyone else encountered through our service who may be at risk of harm.

Safeguarding means protecting people's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This includes:

• physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse;
• domestic abuse and coercive control;
• neglect or self-neglect;
• exploitation (including modern slavery);
• safeguarding concerns relating to unborn babies, newborns, infants, and older children.

We recognise that the perinatal period is one of elevated risk for some safeguarding situations, including domestic abuse and maternal mental health crises.

• hold current registration with their UK professional regulatory body;
• are required to follow their professional code on safeguarding;
• receive ongoing safeguarding training appropriate to their role;
• have access to clinical supervision and a designated safeguarding lead;
• are required to escalate concerns in line with this Statement.

1. Take the concern seriously and prioritise the safety of the person at risk.
2. Discuss with the Mothermind safeguarding lead.
3. Where appropriate and safe to do so, discuss with the person concerned about their wishes.
4. Refer to relevant authorities (local authority safeguarding teams, the police, NHS services) where necessary.
5. Document the concern and actions taken in line with professional standards.

In situations of immediate danger, practitioners will contact emergency services without delay.

Wherever possible, we work transparently and seek consent before sharing information. However, we may share information without consent where:

• a person is at risk of serious harm;
• a child or vulnerable adult is at risk;
• it is required by law, court order, or our regulator;
• it is necessary to prevent or detect a serious crime.

We will tell the person concerned that we have done so wherever it is safe and reasonable to do so.

• our practitioners will act on safeguarding concerns according to their professional duty, regardless of employer preference;
• safeguarding disclosures may be made to authorities without informing the Employer;
• employers will not be told about individual safeguarding cases unless directly relevant to the workplace and lawful to disclose.

If you tell a Mothermind practitioner something that raises a safeguarding concern, we will:

• listen and take you seriously;
• be honest with you about our concerns and the steps we may need to take;
• work with you to plan next steps wherever safely possible;
• only break confidentiality where necessary to protect you or someone else from serious harm.

The designated safeguarding lead for Mothermind at Work is:

Darcey Croft
Consultant Midwife and Director
hello@mothermind.io

The safeguarding lead is responsible for:

• providing advice on safeguarding decisions;
• ensuring this Statement is followed;
• maintaining safeguarding records;
• reviewing this Statement annually.

If you have a safeguarding concern relating to anyone connected with Mothermind at Work, email hello@mothermind.io. In an emergency, always call 999 first.

If you are concerned about practice within Mothermind itself, you can raise it confidentially through our internal channels. Concerns may also be raised externally with regulators or with Protect (the whistleblowing charity, protect-advice.org.uk).

This Statement is reviewed annually or sooner if law, guidance, or practice changes materially.