OpenMinds Social Care Limited is committed to protecting and respecting human rights; this includes preventing modern slavery and human trafficking. This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes OpenMinds Social Care Limited’s statement and anti-modern slavery practices. It sets out the steps that we have taken and will take across our operational activities and between our relationship with Local Authorities who utilise our services for Looked After Children and Care Leavers (including unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors), in relation to modern slavery and human trafficking.

Our Structure

We are a small business with a workforce averaging 15, operating as a Private Limited Company (Ltd) within the social care sector; subjected to Ofsted scrutiny and complying with stringent sector regulations and Ltd company requirements.

Our Commitment

We recognise that modern slavery is a significant global human rights issue and includes human trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced and bonded labour, some forms of child labour and domestic servitude. We also recognise modern safeguarding as a form of abuse within our safeguarding practices. We are committed to operating in an ethical and transparent manner, actively working with our partner agencies e.g. Local Authorities; Commissioning Teams, Ofsted and safeguarding boards to identify and mitigate the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking within our scope of service, personnel and influence.

Our commitment starts from protecting and respecting human rights and taking action to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. We will act ethically and with integrity in all our relationships, and use all reasonable endeavours to take action within our direct operations and our wider sphere of influence to ensure modern slavery and human trafficking are not taking place.

We achieve this by:

• Conducting due diligence to assess and address risks related to modern slavery particularly with vulnerable groups to modern slavery such as unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors.
• Encouraging transparency and accountability throughout our network of service-users and regulators.
• Training staff on how to recognise the risks, whistleblow and report any concerns.

Our Policies

As part of our rigorous recruitment process, we check that all new employees have the right to work in the UK. While we have limited HR resources, we work hard to mitigate any risks regarding our employment process and we vet every applicant to ensure they are who they say they are, and that they hold the relevant qualifications for the role.

Where it is necessary to hire agency workers, we have a portfolio of vetted agencies that we use, we ensure that they follow the right procedures for employing and training their staff. We continue to monitor verifications as necessary.

Modern slavery is acknowledged as a form of abuse. Our safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policies include safeguarding against abuse; and we encourage whistleblowing and the reporting of abuse as soon as it is identified.

Managing risks

We provide services to Local Authorities for vulnerable groups such as children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors. We maintain a transparent relationship with Local Authorities; whereby there are checks and balances in place to ensure that between us we are fit to operate and uphold and protect human rights within our operations.

We recognise the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking is reported to have marginally increased in the UK and rest of Europe, particularly in relation to migrant workers, whether exploitation is taking place or not is unknown.

We will achieve our due diligence by:

• Maintaining open communication lines within our supply chain, with Local Authorities and allied health professionals that any employment taken up by the Looked After Children and Care Leavers who we support are adhering to ethical labour practices, especially as unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors and migrants are vulnerable to modern slavery risks.
• The Local Authorities also ensure that we are registered and compliant with our appropriate bodies and they do this by checking our compliance and documentation.
• Working collaboratively and transparently with other likeminded organisations to mitigate risks.

Training & Awareness

We provide training to employees on the risks of modern slavery and the actions needed to mitigate such risks.

Last reviewed: 4th April 2025
Next review dates: 3rd April 2026

OpenMinds have a new project in Penge Bromley.

We identified a need for further ‘step-down’ or ‘low support’ accommodation amongst young people currently transitioning out of care or semi-independent accommodation.

Rather than being thrust out of a supported or semi-independent accommodation and struggling to settle into fully independent living, OpenMinds have sought to provide a bridge between the two, offering rented homes that also incorporate some of the support structures offered in a 24-hour staffed environment.

As such, it is a natural transition from our semi-independent Young Persons Project.

As part of their accommodation, young people will receive support with understanding and paying their bills and council tax; exploring training and employment opportunities; and successfully transitioning into adult life. It will offer a tailored balance between increased independence and support.

The Penge Project is a newly refurbished development of six self-contained, purpose built studio flats. It is located in a homely, residential area on the border between South Norwood and Penge. It is a short distance from shops such as Tesco and a large Aldi, whilst being close to reliable transport links: 0.6 miles from Anerley Overground station and easily accessible by 157, 75 and 197 buses which provide quick access to Croydon Town Centre.

Each flat boasts an excellent finish quality, will be fully furnished and benefit from the following amenities:

• A modern en suite
• Compact fridge
• Multi-purpose microwave
• Storage facilities
• Independent energy meter

Shared facilities include two fully-equipped kitchens with modern fittings and a washing machine, located on the ground and first floor.  The two ground floor flats also have access to a family-sized garden.

OpenMinds is a mental health organisation which makes recovery from mental illness the main focus of its intervention.

We run two services:

• The Young Persons Project, which includes residential semi independent accommodation; and
• The Adult Community Service, which provides floating support.

Our staff provide a person-centered service using recovery principles to provide practical, emotional and social support that empowers clients whilst promoting independence, building confidence and essential life skills. They are experienced, trained and regularly supervised to meet the ongoing needs of each client. We are also committed to the professional development of our staff.

Open Minds Social Care is a mental health organisation which makes recovery from a mental health difficulty the main focus of its intervention. We provide practical, emotional and social support via our Young Persons Projects and our Adult Community Service. We work alongside clients, supporting them as they make decisions that shape their lives and lead to meaningful and active roles in their communities.

Our work is driven by our commitment to promote mental health as a crucial part of overall wellness. We believe our core values of recovery, advocacy and reducing the stigma of mental health are met through early identification, assertive intervention, proactive advocacy and holistic support. Staff are trained and committed to meeting clients where they are in their recovery journey and working with them to maintain and sustain wellness.

OpenMinds works alongside clients to achieve a range of outcomes including:

• A reduction in relapse of mental health difficulties to bring about an overall reduction in crisis or admission to hospital;
• Sustained improvement in the client’s physical, emotional, psychological and general well being;
• Better insight and understanding of their own recovery;
• Promotion of more stable lifestyles, social inclusion and integration into the community.

OpenMinds Minds is committed to safeguarding your privacy online, and to letting you know how we use any personal information that you provide to us.

Please read the following policy to understand how your personal information will be treated. By visiting www.openmindssocialcare.co.uk you are accepting the practices described here. This policy may change from time to time so please check back periodically.

Information about you

(a) We may collect personal information from you when you:

• Enquire about the website, our services or OpenMinds
• When you make a Referral for one of our services
• Request or share information through the Website
• Contact us through the Website, or any other channel

(b) This personal information may include but is not limited to the following information about you:

• Your name (including your first name(s) and surname);
• Your email address;
• Your address;
• Your phone number;
• Your date of birth
• Your medical/social history
• Other details about you that you or others provide to us.
• We may also ask for or collect some non-personal information from you.

How we use this information

(a) Your personal information will only be used by us to:

• Respond to your questions or comments;
• Process your referral;
• Provide you with information relating to OpenMinds or that we feel may be of interest to you.

(b) If you do not want to receive information from us, contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the word “unsubscribe” in the subject field.

(c) OpenMinds will not share your personal details with third parties without your consent.

How long we hold your information for

We only keep your information for as long as is reasonable and necessary for the relevant activity, which may be to fulfil statutory obligations.

(a) We will take reasonable precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or unauthorised alteration of information you give us.

(b) Communications in connection with the Website and its content may be sent to you by us by e-mail. E-mail is not a fully secure means of communication. Whilst we try to keep our systems and communications protected against viruses and other harmful effects we cannot guarantee this.

Cookies

(a) A “cookie” is a small text file that is placed on a website user’s computer hard drive by a website. There are several types of cookie.

(b) The types of cookie we use are “session cookies”, which keep track of information you have entered or looked at as you travel from page to page within the Website. These cookies have a short lifetime and expire within a short time of you leaving the Website. We do not use other types of cookie that track your internet activity after leaving the Website.

(c) We use cookies to see how you are viewing the Website and how you navigate around the Website, and to assist us in providing the services we offer.

(d) Internet browsers normally accept cookies by default. However, it is possible to set an internet browser to reject cookies.

(e) If you do not consent to our use of cookies, you must not use the Website.

Your rights over your information

(a) By law, you can ask us what information we hold about you, and you can ask us to correct it if it is inaccurate.  You can also ask for it to be erased and you can ask for us to give you a copy of the information.

(b) If you would like us to correct or update any information about you, then please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(c) You can also ask us to stop using your information – the simplest way to do this is to withdraw your consent, which you can do at any time by emailing us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This policy was last updated 27.09.2019.