Take equality, diversity and inclusion into account
Last Updated 02/02/2021
We know that employers can respond to concerns about people in different ways. Ethnic minority staff members can experience discrimination, unfairness and disproportionate disciplinary action.
See our University of Greenwich literature review.
All nursing and midwifery professionals have the right to be treated fairly and proportionately, not treated less favourably because of a protected characteristic. Consider equalities and human rights law, including the public sector equality duty to eliminate discrimination (where it applies to your organisation), advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different groups.
When reviewing decisions and actions, look for areas where bias or discrimination may have been a factor in an incident, concern, investigation or disciplinary action and take action to address this.
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- Last Updated: 02/02/2021
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Related guides
Managing concerns
- Introduction
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Deciding to make a referral
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Concerns you should refer to us
- Concerns you should refer to us - overview
- Concerns that pose a serious risk to people who use services and would be difficult to put right
- Concerns where local action can’t effectively manage any ongoing risks to people who use services
- Concerns requiring us to take action to protect public confidence in the professions and uphold standards
- Considering evidence of insight and strengthened practice
- Deciding whether to refer concerns related to health
- Ensuring your decisions to refer are fair and unbiased
- Who should approve and make the referral
- How to make a referral
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Concerns you should refer to us
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Referral Scenarios
- 1. Health condition – employer can manage the concerns locally while investigating
- 2. Verbal abuse of patient – employer can manage the concerns locally while investigating
- 3. Alleged theft of medication – employer can manage the concerns locally while investigating
- 4. Alleged unprofessional behaviour: concerns being suitably managed locally
- 5. Concerns about clinical competence – local investigation should conclude before referral
- 6. Concerns about clinical competence – referral should be made before conclusion of local investigation.
- 7. Concerns about putting patients at risk and falsification of records – immediate referral required
- 8. Concerns about physical abuse of patient – immediate referral required
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Conducting a local investigation
- Overview
- Dealing with concerns involving agency staff
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Guiding principles
- Guiding principles - overview
- Promote a just culture
- Have clear policies and procedures and follow best practice guidance
- Have a clear plan and terms of reference
- Start as early as possible
- Be objective
- Listen to people who use services, keep them informed, and take their information and views into account
- Support staff and encourage openness without blame
- Take equality, diversity and inclusion into account
- Keep records of all evidence and decisions
- Avoid delays and stick to a reasonable timeframe
- During your investigation
- Concluding your investigation
- Managing concerns
- Supporting your employees