Course detail
Whistleblowing and Speaking Up
This theory-based course explains how workers in adult health and social care can raise concerns about wrongdoing, unsafe care, abuse, legal breaches, concealment and other matters that may affect people who use services, colleagues or the wider public. It distinguishes speaking up, whistleblowing, safeguarding, complaints and personal grievances, and explains when concerns should be raised internally or with external bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the local authority or the police.
Topics
34
Duration
2h
Quiz pass mark
100%
Course structure
Learning path
Topics are completed in order before the final assessment unlocks.
Course Description
1. Understanding Speaking Up and Whistleblowing
2. Why Speaking Up Matters in Adult Social Care
3. Legal Framework: Protected Disclosures
4. Who Is Protected by Whistleblowing Law?
5. What Counts as a Public-Interest Concern?
6. Whistleblowing, Grievances and Complaints
7. Whistleblowing and Safeguarding
8. Immediate Danger and Emergency Action
9. Internal Speaking-Up Routes
10. Organisational Whistleblowing Policies
11. Raising a Concern Effectively
12. Recording and Preserving Information
13. Anonymous and Confidential Reporting
14. Escalating When Nothing Changes
15. CQC as a Prescribed Person
16. Other External Routes
17. Wider Disclosures and Social Media
18. Protection from Detriment and Dismissal
19. Victimisation, Bullying and Retaliation
20. Managers Receiving a Concern
21. Investigation: The Learner’s Role
22. Speaking Up About Record Falsification
23. Staffing, Competence and Unsafe Practice
24. Medicines and Clinical Safety Concerns
25. Financial Wrongdoing and Misuse of Property
26. Closed Cultures and Organisational Abuse
27. CQC Relevance and Freedom to Speak Up
28. Care Homes: Speaking Up in Practice
29. Domiciliary Care: Speaking Up in Practice
30. Supported Living: Speaking Up in Practice
31. Practical Speaking-Up Scenarios
32. Key Learning Points
References and Further Reading
Final quiz
Final step20 questions and 100% required to pass and receive the certificate.
