Safe Learning Environment Charter
| There is a new NHS Safe Learning Environment Charter that was published at the start of February. More information can be found here: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/safe-learning-environment-charter/
It states it “is designed for learners and those responsible for supporting placement learning across all learning environments and all professions within them. It is aligned to the NHS People Promise in recognition that learners are vital to the workforce and are included in the promises we must all make to each other, to improve everyone’s experience of working in the NHS. The Charter sets out the supportive learning environment required to allow learners to become well-rounded professionals with the right skills and knowledge to provide safe and compassionate care of the highest quality”. It provides useful recommendations for each of the ten areas to help drive up the quality and support provided for learners and provides case study examples. Please take time to read this and reflect with your teams about how you meet, or can make changes to meet, this charter. It will make a real difference to our leaners.
We will be using the maturity matrix to self-assess our process and support for our students and will reach out to work with you as partners to support your team as needed.
You could consider supporting learners on leadership / education placements where they can help you work on projects related to the key recommendations.
Summary of key areas of the charter: Safety charter
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Sexual Safety Charter
In September 2023 there was also the release of the Sexual Safety in Healthcare Charter that local Trusts have signed up to: NHS England » Sexual safety in healthcare – organisational charter
As a School we also sign up to this important charter which states:
As signatories to this charter, we commit to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours towards our workforce. We commit to the following principles and actions to achieve this:
1. We will actively work to eradicate sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
2. We will promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, and does not tolerate unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours.
3. We will take an intersectional approach to the sexual safety of our workforce, recognising certain groups will experience sexual harassment and abuse at a disproportionate rate.
4. We will provide appropriate support for those in our workforce who experience unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours.
5. We will clearly communicate standards of behaviour. This includes expected action for those who witness inappropriate, unwanted and/or harmful sexual behaviour.
6. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear policies are in place. They will include appropriate and timely action against alleged perpetrators.
7. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear training is in place.
8. We will ensure appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place for those experiencing these behaviours.
9. We will take all reports seriously and appropriate and timely action will be taken in all cases.
10. We will capture and share data on prevalence and staff experience transparently.
These commitments will apply to everyone in our organisation equally.
Please take the time to familiarise yourselves with these charters and to discuss with your Practice Leads about how you can ensure these are embedded for learners.
HCPC Sexual Safety Hub: Raising awareness of the impact of sexual misconduct, and helping to improve the sexual safety of service users, those working within health and social care, and the students and learners on our approved education programmes.
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/sexual-safety/