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CWE-CWR-18 Compassion, Welfare & Environment Community Welfare & Relief CORE Excellence v2.9.7

Mental health awareness training for staff/volunteers

Assesses whether the organization provides mental health awareness training for its staff and volunteers to equip them to recognize and respond appropriately to mental health concerns in the community, supported by robust internal governance, data protection, and support systems. Rooted in the Maqasid (higher objectives) of hifz al-aql (preservation of intellect) and hifz al-nafs (preservation of life), this training fosters rahmah (compassion). It ensures personnel embody takaful (mutual solidarity) when assisting vulnerable individuals facing psychological hardships.

Good 11
  • Definitions: 'Public-facing role' = any role likely to receive distress disclosures. 'Safeguarding Lead/DSL' = named escalation point.
    Governance Essential
  • Coverage: 100% of public-facing roles and Safeguarding Leads trained; ≥75% of all other staff/volunteers trained.
    Performance Essential
  • Internal Escalation Protocol: Documented SOP specifying named DSL, decision thresholds (risk vs wellbeing), adult vs minor handling, and consent override procedures.
    Process Essential
  • Trainer Quality Assurance: Training delivered by accredited/competent trainers; due diligence file maintained (accreditation, insurance, DBS, CPD).
    Quality Essential
  • Data Protection: ROPA entry for 'Mental health disclosures'; retention schedule defined; strict 'data minimisation' rules (no clinical notes, only risk/action).
    Data Protection Essential
  • Induction: all new public‑facing staff/volunteers complete awareness training within 12 weeks. Refresher: minimum every 24 months.
    Training Essential
  • Documented flowchart includes immediate actions for suicide/self‑harm risk (999, NHS crisis lines, Samaritans) and local NHS Talking Therapies.
    Process Essential
  • Content must cover role limits (non‑clinical), safeguarding thresholds, confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural/faith‑sensitive practice.
    Training Essential
  • Support: High-exposure roles receive structured reflective supervision (quarterly minimum); managers trained on HSE stress risk assessment.
    Support Essential
  • Information Sharing: Adopt a protocol aligned to HM Gov advice; train staff on sharing without consent in vital interests/safeguarding scenarios.
    Governance Essential
  • Use of accredited training like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
    Excellence High
Better 4
  • Tiered training (all‑hands awareness; managers on stress risk assessment; designated MHFAiders)
    Excellence High
  • Mapping referral pathways to local authority suicide prevention plans
    Excellence High
  • Trauma‑informed approach
    Excellence High
  • Regular anonymized case audits to improve referral quality
    Continuous Improvement Medium
Best 1
  • Faith‑ and culturally competent content co‑designed with clinicians and imams/chaplains
    Excellence High

Related Criteria

CWE-CWR-01 Weekly Dignified Food Support Service (Food Bank, Pantry, or Hot Meals) CWE-CWR-02 Hardship-grant / zakāt emergency fund CWE-CWR-03 Volunteer management: hours logging, safer recruitment & safeguarding CWE-CWR-04 Partnerships with local authorities and community organisations (NGOs/VCSE) CWE-CWR-05 User-impact survey results
Version
2.9.7 2025-11-05

Discussion (1)

Administrator 2026-03-07 11:08:01.900995

📋 **Version updated: 1.0.0 → 2.9.7** **Changes:** Updated islamic_references from mizan-297.json

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