I have been contemplating what good ‘holding to account’ and assurance looks like.

The purpose of accountability is, presumably, to improve services. And yet done badly, the people being held to account are more likely to be fearful, less creative, less likely to talk about problems and own their own mistakes.

In the criminal justice system, admitting guilt helps to secure a lower sentence. In the airline industry, significant penalties for not owning up to near misses in a timely manner were introduced about three decades ago, leading to significant improvements in safety.

In health and social care systems, owning up to problems and mistakes is really not incentivised. We can’t change the past, but we can change the future. This seems relevant to how we use meetings and boards to advance the work of the system.

So, then…

How can we enable people to be at their most creative, open and collaborative? This must surely be the best way to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.

How can we create spaces where people feel safe to talk, where problems are out in the open, to be learned from, built on, corrected? I guess it starts with each of us as individuals.

How can we ask questions and give feedback in a supportive manner, building trust with our colleagues, so they believe we want to help, not undermine?

And how can we, in turn, be brave when questions are asked of us, being open about mistakes and issues?

Feel free to get in touch if you are interested in these issues.

– Cate Newnes-Smith