The Centre has three distinct aims:

1. Provide a focus for promoting and supporting the human rights related work already occurring in the Institute, and through collaborative support will encourage further development of such work
2. Develop a portfolio of projects of its own, focusing on human rights in England, the UK and internationally
3. Engage with the World Health Organisation (WHO) mental health policy and service development unit. To incorporate research priorities of the WHO unit into the work of the Centre where feasible, with a view to the Centre becoming a recognised WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health and Human Rights.