I've started a new job and noticed something concerning, how can I raise this?

This sounds unsettling, especially if you’ve just started at a new employer. However, speaking up is good practice, and challenging barriers to providing care is part of being a professional. 

Usually, you should be able to raise any problems with your line manager. However, if you’d like some advice before approaching them, you can contact your local CSP rep. 

Your CSP rep will be aware of various channels and contacts for resolving issues. You will often have a team of CSP reps at NHS employers. CSP reps can be found in the independent sector, although this is less common. 

Use our online search tool to find your local CSP rep. 

If you have a general concern that you are seeking advice and support with you may wish to contact your CSP steward. If the problem is specifically related to health and safety or equality, then you can contact your CSP safety rep or CSP equality rep. 

Your rep may look through the relevant policy or procedure with you to find out whether it has been breached, misinterpreted or needs updating. They will consider who else might be impacted by this issue to collectivise it. Is it a particular team, profession, staff working at a certain site? 

There are other formal avenues for flagging concerns. If the issue is serious, your CSP rep may seek support from CSP staff and consider reporting it. If the concern is about an individual, this might be raised with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 

The role of the HCPC is to regulate health and care professionals and protect the public. Each country has an independent regulatory body too. For England, this is the Care Quality Commission, Scotland has the Care Inspectorate and Wales the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. In Northern Ireland, the Regulatory and Quality Improvement Authority may be the most relevant channel.