Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust signs NHS Sexual Safety Charter

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, has formally signed a new NHS Sexual Safety Charter aimed at ensuring a systematic, zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and violence in the NHS.

On 4 September 2023, NHS England launched its first ever sexual safety charter in collaboration with key partners across the healthcare system.  It was agreed at the November Trust Board meeting that Alder Hey would formally sign up to the charter.  

By signing this charter the Trust commits to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace, and to ten core principles and actions to help achieve this by July 2024.

Ahead of the Board meeting Alder Hey identified our Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) Executive Lead and Operational Lead in line with NHS England guidance.  Nathan Askew, Chief Nursing, AHP and Experience Officer has been named as the Trust’s DASV Executive Lead.

Key leaders across the Trust in Human Resources, Safeguarding, Risk and Governance and Staff Advice and Liaison Services will work together to ensure we successfully implement all 10 core principles and ensure Alder Hey is a safe place for all.

Sexual Safety in Healthcare – Organisational Charter

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. Where any of the above is not currently in place, we commit to work towards ensuring it is in place by July 2024.