Whistleblowing in Health and Social Care Training Course

Speaking up when something is wrong is essential in health and social care. Whistleblowing protects people who use services, improves workplace culture, and ensures organisations meet their legal and ethical responsibilities. Yet many staff feel unsure about when to raise concerns or worry about the consequences of doing so.

This free Whistleblowing in Health and Social Care online course gives learners a clear understanding of how to recognise unsafe practice, how to raise concerns correctly, and what legal protections exist for those who speak up. The whistleblowing course also helps organisations strengthen their culture of openness, transparency, and accountability.

Why Take This eLearning Course?

Good care relies on honesty, accountability, and the confidence to challenge unsafe or poor practice. Whistleblowing is not about blame — it is about safeguarding people, improving standards, and preventing harm.

This course helps learners:

• Understand what whistleblowing is and why it matters.
• Recognise when they have a duty to raise concerns.
• Follow the correct internal and external reporting procedures.
• Know their rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA).
• Support a workplace culture where raising concerns is safe and encouraged.

Whether you are a frontline worker, manager, volunteer, or student, this course strengthens your confidence to act when something is not right.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Define whistleblowing and explain its purpose in protecting people who use services.
• Identify issues that must be reported, including unsafe practice, malpractice, and illegal actions.
• Understand legal protections under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
• Follow organisational whistleblowing policies and regulatory guidance.
• Recognise when whistleblowing is necessary to prevent harm.
• Raise concerns safely, confidently, and through the correct channels.
• Understand barriers to whistleblowing and strategies to overcome them.
• Support colleagues and promote a culture of openness and transparency.

Whistleblowing Course Outline

Module 1: Understanding the Concept of Whistleblowing
Learners will explore what whistleblowing means and why it is essential in health and social care. The module explains its role in maintaining high standards, protecting individuals, and preventing harm. Learners will identify issues that qualify as whistleblowing, including malpractice, wrongdoing, and illegal activity, and understand the importance of speaking up to safeguard quality and safety.

Module 2: Legal and Regulatory Framework
This module outlines the legal and ethical foundations of whistleblowing, focusing on protections provided under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA). Learners will understand their professional duties, how organisational policies support safe reporting, and the role of external regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in investigating serious concerns.

Module 3: Recognising When Whistleblowing Is Necessary
Learners will identify situations that require whistleblowing, such as unsafe practices, neglect, or breaches of confidentiality. The module highlights the potential consequences of failing to act and explains how raising concerns can protect people who use services and improve standards across care settings.

Module 4: The Process of Raising Concerns
This module provides a clear guide to the whistleblowing process. Learners will understand how to raise a concern internally, what steps to take if the issue is not resolved, and when to escalate to external authorities. Emphasis is placed on following procedures, keeping accurate records, and maintaining confidentiality throughout the process.

Module 5: Overcoming Barriers to Whistleblowing
Learners will examine common barriers that discourage whistleblowing, such as fear of retaliation, lack of awareness, or unsupportive workplace cultures. The module presents strategies for overcoming these challenges and encourages openness and psychological safety within teams.

Module 6: Promoting a Culture of Openness and Support
This module explores how leaders, managers, and colleagues can promote a positive culture where concerns are welcomed and addressed constructively. Learners will understand how effective whistleblowing policies create safer workplaces, strengthen trust, and demonstrate accountability within care organisations.

Module 7: Learning from Case Studies
Learners will review real and anonymised whistleblowing case studies to identify examples of good and poor practice. The module discusses lessons learned from serious case reviews and how these insights have influenced current policy, regulation, and professional standards in health and social care.

Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Care workers, support workers, and healthcare assistants
• Registered managers, team leaders, and supervisors
• Volunteers, apprentices, and agency staff
• Administrative staff, HR, and safeguarding leads
• Anyone working in adult health and social care

It supports CQC requirements and forms part of essential safeguarding knowledge for all staff.

FAQ

Is whistleblowing the same as making a complaint?
No. Complaints are usually personal concerns. Whistleblowing relates to issues of public interest, such as risk of harm, malpractice, or unsafe practice.

Will the organisation know I raised a concern?
This varies by process, but PIDA protects workers from being treated unfairly for whistleblowing.

Is this course suitable for managers?
Yes. It includes guidance on fostering safe reporting cultures and responding appropriately to concerns.

Speaking up ensures safer services, strengthens accountability, and protects people who rely on care. This free whistleblowing course gives staff at every level the understanding and confidence to act when they see something wrong.

Enrol today and help create a workplace where concerns are heard, respected, and acted upon.