Mental Health and Wellbeing

How to Develop a Safeguarding Policy: Best Practices & Key Components

By James Childs|2025-09-23T14:05:57+01:00September 12th, 2025|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Safeguarding is a legal and moral responsibility for organisations that work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults. A well-designed safeguarding policy not only ensures compliance with UK law but also builds trust with staff, clients, and the community. At Goldmark Training, we support organisations in developing clear and practical safeguarding policies through our Safeguarding Training Courses. In this guide, we’ll explore why safeguarding policies matter, the key components they must include, and best practices for creating one that truly protects those at risk. Why You Need a Safeguarding Policy A safeguarding policy: Demonstrates your organisation’s commitment to protecting vulnerable groups. Provides clear procedures for staff, volunteers, and stakeholders. Ensures compliance with UK regulations, including the Children Act 1989, Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, and the Care Act 2014. Reduces the risk of harm, negligence, or reputational damage. Without a safeguarding policy, organisations risk confusion, inconsistency, and potential legal consequences. Key Components of a Safeguarding Policy Here are the essential elements every safeguarding policy should cover: 1. Policy Statement A clear declaration of your organisation’s commitment [...]

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5 Everyday Situations Where Unconscious Bias Creeps In & How to Overcome Them

By James Childs|2025-09-23T14:06:03+01:00September 10th, 2025|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Unconscious bias is something we all carry with us—shaped by our background, experiences, and social conditioning. The challenge is that these biases often influence our decisions and behaviour without us even realising it. In the workplace, unconscious bias can affect recruitment, promotions, teamwork, and employee wellbeing, ultimately shaping organisational culture. Recognising where bias shows up is the first step to overcoming it. At Goldmark Training, we help organisations identify and address bias through practical unconscious bias training and workshops. Here are five everyday situations where bias tends to creep in—and strategies to tackle it. 1. Recruitment and Hiring Decisions Situation:During interviews, hiring managers may unconsciously favour candidates who share similar backgrounds, accents, or even hobbies. This “similarity bias” can result in overlooking qualified candidates from diverse groups. How to Overcome It: Use structured interviews with standardised questions. Involve multiple assessors in the process. Focus on skills and competencies rather than personal background. Provide interviewers with Equality & Diversity Training. 2. Performance Reviews and Promotions Situation:Managers may rate employees differently based on unconscious stereotypes—for example, assuming women are [...]

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Why Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill in 2025

By James Childs|2025-08-20T17:07:58+01:00August 15th, 2025|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Why Empathy Is the Most Important Leadership Skill in 2025 In today's fast-changing world of work, leadership is being redefined. Traditional management styles that focused solely on authority, efficiency, or results are no longer enough to inspire and retain top talent. Employees now expect leaders who can listen, understand, and respond to their needs on a human level. This is where empathy emerges as the most critical leadership skill for 2025 and beyond. Empathy is more than being kind; it’s the ability to step into another person's shoes, understand their experiences, and respond with genuine care. In workplaces marked by hybrid schedules, rising mental health concerns, and the demand for inclusivity, empathetic leadership isn't a "soft skill." It's a strategic necessity. The Business Case for Empathy in Leadership Modern organisations are recognising that empathy drives measurable outcomes. Leaders who demonstrate empathy: Increase employee engagement – Teams feel valued, which leads to higher morale and productivity. Reduce turnover – Staff are less likely to leave when they feel supported and understood. Boost innovation – Diverse voices are [...]

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Common Safeguarding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

By James Childs|2025-08-20T17:07:04+01:00August 5th, 2025|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Common Safeguarding Mistakes and How to Avoid Them Safeguarding is more than a legal requirement; it's a moral responsibility. Whether in schools, care settings, charities, or corporate environments, safeguarding ensures that children, young people, and vulnerable adults are protected from harm. Yet despite good intentions, many organizations still fall into common safeguarding pitfalls. In 2025, with increased awareness of safeguarding obligations, it's essential for leaders and staff to not only understand policy but also practice safeguarding with empathy, accountability, and vigilance. Let's look at the most frequent mistakes and, importantly, how to avoid them. Mistake 1: Treating Safeguarding as a "One-Off" Training Too often, safeguarding is viewed as a tick-box exercise. Staff attend one induction session and assume they're covered for years. The truth is, safeguarding is a continuous responsibility. Policies, risks, and reporting frameworks evolve, and without ongoing learning, gaps quickly form. How to Avoid It: Embed safeguarding into your culture. Regular refresher sessions, scenario-based discussions, and reflective practice are key. Our Safeguarding Training Course is designed to equip teams with both up-to-date knowledge and [...]

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Gratitude

By Goldmark Training|2023-02-07T21:04:25+00:00March 17th, 2022|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

You hear it all the time… If you have an attitude of gratitude, the benefits to your physical and psychological wellbeing can be enormous. People constantly offer inspirational quotes about what it takes to be grateful in the modern world. Melody Beattie once said, “Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity.”

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Letting It Go

By Goldmark Training|2023-02-07T21:43:34+00:00January 11th, 2022|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Life is a balance of holding on and letting go. “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” It’s not easy to learn to let go. But there is a thing about our hearts and our lives: we either collect dust-gatherers that fail to fill our lives with meaning or we hold things that really fill our lives with something of great value.

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Notice Nature

By Goldmark Training|2023-02-07T21:49:02+00:00October 7th, 2021|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Notice nature and try to make a habit of connecting to the nature every day. Stop to listen to the birdsong, smell the freshly cut grass, take care of a house plant, notice any trees, flowers or animals nearby. Take a moment to appreciate these connections.” “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” Nelson Mandela

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The Power of Emotional Resilience

By Goldmark Training|2023-02-07T21:47:03+00:00May 6th, 2021|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Have you ever wondered how some people are less affected by difficult situations and life changes while others crumble under the same pressures? Although it is important not to measure someone’s resilience against our own, at times, we can’t help but to. It is safe to say everyone responds to challenges differently – for as the saying goes, ‘what is good for Peter isn’t good for Paul.’

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Domestic Abuse and Mind Myths

By Goldmark Training|2023-02-07T21:39:14+00:00March 10th, 2021|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Did you know each year, nearly 2 million people in the UK suffer some form of domestic abuse? 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will suffer domestic abuse at some time in their lives. For every three victims of domestic abuse, two will be female and one male (Mankind, 2016). Domestic abuse can occur in same-sex relationships, between intimate partners but also family members.

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Dedication

By Goldmark Training|2023-02-07T21:33:02+00:00March 8th, 2021|Mental Health and Wellbeing|

Dedication is a complete and wholehearted fidelity. The act of binding oneself emotionally, physically and spiritually to a course of action and seeing it through. To be dedicated is to be focused and committed to a cause, a goal or a purpose.

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