Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy

Updated: July 2026
Reviewed By: Dylan Pomietlo
Approved By: Clinical Director

Purpose

Teenage Mental Health Ltd (TMH) is committed to promoting equality, embracing diversity, fostering inclusion, and eliminating unlawful discrimination throughout every aspect of our work.

We believe that every individual should be treated with dignity, compassion, fairness and respect. We are committed to creating an environment in which employees, volunteers, contractors, patients, families, visitors, and members of the public feel welcomed, valued and able to participate fully in our services.

We recognise that a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture strengthen the quality of care we provide and contribute to a positive and respectful working environment.

This policy applies to all employees, workers, volunteers, contractors, patients, visitors, and anyone engaging with Teenage Mental Health Ltd.

This policy should be read alongside the TMH Feedback & Complaints Policy, Health & Safety Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Data Protection Policy, and Employee Handbook.

Our Commitment

Teenage Mental Health Ltd is committed to:

• Providing equality, fairness, dignity and respect for everyone, regardless of whether they are employed on a temporary, permanent, part-time or full-time basis.

• Promoting an inclusive culture where every individual feels welcomed, valued, listened to, respected, and able to participate fully within our workplace and services.

• Ensuring that patients, families, visitors, contractors and members of the public are treated fairly, respectfully and without unlawful discrimination when accessing or engaging with our services.

• Opposing and preventing all forms of unlawful discrimination, bullying, harassment, victimisation and inappropriate behaviour.

• Making employment decisions based upon merit, ability, qualifications and organisational need, subject only to any lawful exemptions permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

• Providing equal access to recruitment, training, supervision, professional development, promotion and career progression wherever reasonably practicable.

• Regularly reviewing our policies, procedures and working practices to ensure they remain fair, inclusive and compliant with current legislation.

Protected Characteristics

Teenage Mental Health Ltd will not unlawfully discriminate against any individual because of the protected characteristics contained within the Equality Act 2010:

• Age

• Disability

• Gender reassignment

• Marriage and civil partnership

• Pregnancy and maternity

• Race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin)

• Religion or belief

• Sex

• Sexual orientation

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Practice

TMH recognises that equality is not always achieved by treating everyone identically.

Where appropriate, TMH will make reasonable adjustments and take proportionate steps to reduce disadvantage experienced by individuals with protected characteristics, enabling them to access employment or services fairly and safely.

We recognise that every individual experiences mental health, relationships, identity, culture and personal circumstances differently. We are committed to delivering psychologically informed, culturally sensitive and person-centred services which respect each person's individuality, identity and lived experience.

Responsibilities

Teenage Mental Health Ltd will:

• Encourage equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the organisation.

• Create and maintain a working environment free from bullying, harassment, victimisation and unlawful discrimination.

• Promote dignity, courtesy and mutual respect in all professional relationships.

• Provide equality, diversity and inclusion training during induction and as part of ongoing professional development where appropriate.

• Investigate all complaints relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation fairly, sensitively and without bias.

• Take appropriate action where breaches of this policy are identified.

• Review employment practices, policies and procedures where necessary to ensure continuing compliance with legislation and best practice.

• Where appropriate and lawful, monitor anonymised workforce information to help identify opportunities to improve equality, diversity and inclusion across the organisation.

Responsibilities of Employees

All employees, volunteers, contractors and representatives of TMH are expected to:

• Treat colleagues, patients, visitors and members of the public with dignity, courtesy and respect.

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion through their conduct and professional practice.

• Challenge or report discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

• Comply with this policy and all associated organisational policies.

• Co-operate with any investigation relating to alleged discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.

Employees should understand that both they and the organisation may be held responsible for unlawful discriminatory acts committed during the course of employment.

Bullying, Harassment and Victimisation

Teenage Mental Health Ltd takes all allegations of bullying, harassment, victimisation, discrimination and inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously.

Complaints may be raised by employees, patients, families, contractors, visitors, suppliers or members of the public.

Where appropriate, complaints will be investigated promptly, fairly and impartially.

Behaviour found to breach this policy may constitute misconduct and will be dealt with under the appropriate organisational procedures. Serious breaches may amount to gross misconduct and could result in dismissal or termination of engagement.

Certain behaviour may also constitute a criminal offence and may be reported to the appropriate authorities where necessary.

Reasonable Adjustments

Teenage Mental Health Ltd is committed to making reasonable adjustments wherever reasonably practicable for employees, applicants, patients and visitors with disabilities or other needs protected under the Equality Act 2010.

Individuals are encouraged to let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments that would assist them in accessing employment or our services safely, comfortably and effectively.

Raising Concerns

Employees should raise concerns regarding discrimination, bullying or harassment in accordance with the Employee Handbook, Grievance Procedure or by speaking with their line manager where appropriate.

Patients, families, visitors and members of the public who wish to raise concerns regarding discrimination, harassment, victimisation or any other inappropriate behaviour should do so in accordance with the Teenage Mental Health Ltd Feedback & Complaints Policy.

Complaints may also be sent directly to:

Dylan Pomietlo
Director: Client Services & HR
📧 Dylan@teenagementalhealth.co.uk

or

hello@teenagementalhealth.co.uk

Reception: 01473 411324

Monitoring and Review

Teenage Mental Health Ltd will review this policy periodically to ensure that it remains effective, reflects current legislation, and supports the organisation's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Where appropriate, anonymised workforce information may be considered to help identify trends and opportunities for improvement. Any monitoring undertaken will be proportionate, lawful and compliant with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Our Commitment

Teenage Mental Health Ltd believes that equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to the safe, ethical and effective delivery of psychological services.

We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with dignity, compassion and respect, where individual differences are valued, and where diversity is recognised as a strength that enriches both our workplace and the care we provide.