Freedom to speak up
Quality statement
We foster a positive culture where people feel that they can speak up and that their voice will be heard.
What this quality statement means
- Staff and leaders act with openness, honesty and transparency.
- Staff and leaders actively promote staff empowerment to drive improvement. They encourage staff to raise concerns and promote the value of doing so. All staff are confident that their voices will be heard.
- There is a culture of speaking up where staff actively raise concerns and those who do (including external whistleblowers) are supported, without fear of detriment. When concerns are raised, leaders investigate sensitively and confidentially, and lessons are shared and acted on.
- When something goes wrong, people receive a sincere and timely apology and are told about any actions being taken to prevent the same happening again.
Subtopics this quality statement covers
- Speaking up culture
- Freedom to speak up guardian
- Whistleblowing
- Closed cultures
We expect providers to be aware of and follow the following best practice guidance.
Speaking up culture
Whistleblowing: Guidance for providers who are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The characteristics of safety cultures (CQC)
Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (Protect)