At LimeCulture, we are passionate about fostering safer cultures where individuals and organisations can thrive. A safer culture is one where expectations for behaviour are clear, inappropriate and unwanted sexual behaviours, harassment, and abuse are not tolerated, and responses are swift, fair, and trauma informed. This is becoming a fundamental expectation of effective organisations.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust, one of the first NHS trusts to sign the NHS Sexual Safety Charter. Their commitment to embedding a whole-organisation approach to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct is a testament to their dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for their people.
Over the past three months, we have been working with UHNM using our Safer Cultures Framework to support the Trust in embedding the NHS Sexual Safety Charter. We have also been supporting the organisation to meet its duties under the Worker Protection Act, which came into force in October 2024 and provides a new legal duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.
Our work with UHNM will inform the development of a tailored prevention and response approach for the organisation, which will include specialist trauma-informed training for key staff involved in investigations and disciplinary processes for sexual misconduct cases.
Establishing an internal model of support for NHS Staff
Recognising the importance of effective support, LimeCulture is working with UHNM to establish a new model of support for any member of staff who experiences any form of sexual misconduct or witness inappropriate behaviours
A cadre of Specialist Liaison Officers (SLO’s) will be trained by LimeCulture to provide end-to-end, trauma-informed support for colleagues, confidentially supporting those who have experienced sexual violence, harassment or abuse to consider their options, and navigate internal systems and misconduct proceedings.
Importantly, Specialist Liaison Officers will provide the specialism within the organisation to support victims/survivors, as they navigate the specific organisational context in which they operate, which external support services often find difficult to navigate.
Embedding the Specialist Liaison Officer model within an NHS Trust-wide approach to addressing sexual misconduct will enable the organisation to:
- appropriately respond to staff who have experienced sexual violence, harassment or abuse;
- allow staff to raise concerns about Inappropriate behaviours and attitudes of colleagues in a trusted space;
- be assured of the consistency of the response to sexual misconduct, ensuring effective identification, management and escalation of individual risks and needs, and the ability to retain clear oversight of levels of organisational risk and risk to the public;
- encourage reporting through the provision of confidential, trauma-informed support; and
- gather information around sexual misconduct, which may will enable early intervention where necessary to prevent escalation.
Reinforcing Zero Tolerance
UHNM continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering a safer culture by reinforcing its zero-tolerance approach. Most recently, the Trust utilised national media coverage around the Gregg Wallace scandal to amplify messages from its Sexual Safety Working Group, highlighting its proactive stance on sexual safety and prevention of sexual misconduct.
A Model for Change
The partnership between LimeCulture and UHNM exemplifies how organisations can lead the way in creating safer, more inclusive workplaces. By embedding robust prevention strategies, trauma-informed responses, and comprehensive support systems, UHNM is setting a powerful example for the NHS and other public sector organisations to follow.
If you’d like more information about creating safer cultures within your organisation, please contact LimeCulture’s Sexual Violence Consultancy Services Team by emailing info@limeculture.co.uk or calling +44 203 633 0018.