In your capacity as a care worker, you have an ethical and professional duty to report concerns or wrongdoings that you observe in your workplace, particularly those that go against the core values and principles of care and could harm individuals or the service.
Here are some examples and descriptions of how you would raise your concerns, or
whistle blow and why to answer Care Certificate Standard 1 – Activity 1.2e & f.
Let’s examine the statements one by one:
The health and safety of staff is in danger
Yes, this should be reported. The safety of staff is paramount, and any risk to health and safety needs immediate escalation to prevent potential harm.
Individuals are treated with dignity and respect
No, this does not need to be reported, as it reflects correct practice. However, instances violating this should.
The environment is being damaged by work activity
Yes, environmental damage because of work activity should be reported, as organisations must adhere to environmental protection standards.
Wrongdoing is being covered up
Yes, cover-ups should always be reported, as they can lead to systemic problems and persistent harm.
The individual’s care is inadequate but they cannot or will not complain
Yes, inadequate care should be reported even if the person can’t or won’t complain. As a care worker, it’s important to advocate on their behalf.
Care plans are reassessed and updated regularly
No, this reflects proper practice and does not need to be reported unless the care plans are not being reassessed and updated as they should be.
Your manager is involved in the abuse of individuals
Yes, any abuse, especially involving a superior, should be reported immediately to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected.
Final thoughts
For Activity 1.2e, it’s important to remember that if you have any concerns about any practices or behaviours in the workplace, especially those that put individuals or others at risk, report them according to your organisation’s whistleblowing or reporting policy. This might include speaking to a manager, using a designated hotline, or following specific whistleblowing procedures if necessary.
For Activity 1.2f, honesty is crucial in the healthcare sector. If you make an error, it’s important to report it immediately to the appropriate person, whether that’s your supervisor or a different designated authority. This allows the issue to be rectified as soon as possible and helps to minimise the chances of potential harm. It also contributes to an open culture where learning from mistakes is used to improve future practice.
In conclusion, as a care worker, being aware of and understanding how, when, and why to report concerns is a key component of delivering safe and effective care. It is an integral part of your role aimed at protecting the well-being of service users and upholding the integrity of the care service.