Multi-Agency Safeguarding in Mental Health Services
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Mental health safeguarding rarely sits with a single organisation. Commissioners expect providers to demonstrate confident, timely and transparent multi-agency working across health, social care and emergency systems.
This article builds on themes in the Safeguarding mini-series and supports best practice within mental health risk and safeguarding.
Why Multi-Agency Safeguarding Matters
Individuals receiving mental health support often interact with multiple services simultaneously. Effective safeguarding relies on:
- Shared understanding of risk
- Clear role definition
- Timely information exchange
Failures often occur at system boundaries.
Information Sharing in Practice
Providers must navigate confidentiality alongside safeguarding duties. Strong practice includes:
- Clear information-sharing policies
- Staff confidence in lawful disclosure
- Documented rationale for decisions
Commissioners routinely test this capability.
Safeguarding Meetings and Forums
Multi-agency safeguarding is operationalised through:
- Safeguarding strategy meetings
- MAPPA or MARAC involvement where relevant
- Joint risk planning forums
Providers must demonstrate meaningful contribution, not passive attendance.
Escalation Across Organisational Boundaries
Clear escalation routes prevent drift. Effective providers ensure staff understand:
- When to escalate concerns externally
- Who holds decision-making authority
- How to challenge system inaction
Learning from Serious Safeguarding Events
Where serious incidents occur, providers are expected to engage fully with:
- Safeguarding Adult Reviews
- Joint learning processes
- System-wide improvement actions
Evidencing System Leadership
Commissioners increasingly value providers who demonstrate system leadership in safeguarding — contributing to safer, more joined-up mental health services.
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