Find out how identifying and managing concerns about safeguarding, conduct or behaviour in the right way helps you safeguard people drawing on care and support.
Responding to concerns quickly and appropriately. Recognising and responding to concerns at an early stage helps protect people who receive care and support and supports a safe working environment.
Concerns may relate to behaviour, conduct, performance or safeguarding. Taking a consistent, evidence-based approach helps you understand the situation, manage any risks and take appropriate action while supporting everyone involved.
What you need to do
Make sure you:
- Recognise and respond to concerns about a member of staff's behaviour, conduct or practice.
- Follow your organisation's safeguarding and HR procedures.
- Gather information and assess the level of risk.
- Take appropriate action, including escalating concerns where necessary.
- Keep clear records of concerns, decisions and actions.
Key things to get right
Common things to avoid
- Ignoring or dismissing early warning signs.
- Delaying action because of uncertainty.
- Failing to record concerns, decisions or actions.
- Managing serious concerns informally instead of following the appropriate procedures.
Use our safer recruitment and employment checklist to help manage concerns about staff conduct or practice, including taking timely action to manage safeguarding risks and protect people who draw on care and support (pages 26–29).