Support is available
Clear Voice Guardian
Independent. Confidential. Trusted.
A safe, independent place for people to speak up and for organisations to listen.
Sometimes, people need somewhere outside their usual workplace channels to talk about something that doesn’t feel right.
Clear Voice Guardian provides an independent route for colleagues to raise concerns, ask questions or share feedback, with the option to speak up openly, confidentially or anonymously.
Our Guardian’s role is to listen, support and help colleagues understand their options. Where a concern needs to be taken forward, the Guardian can act as an independent conduit, helping ensure it reaches the most appropriate person or organisational function for consideration or investigation.
The Guardian does not investigate concerns as part of the Guardian role. Where an organisation requires an independent investigation, Clear Voice Partners can provide this as a separate service.
Speaking Up Support – for individuals
A safe, confidential space to be heard, explore your options and decide what happens next.
Independent Support – for organisations
Strengthen your speaking-up culture with trusted Guardian support and meaningful insight.
an additional route
Why an Independent Guardian Matters
Speaking up can feel daunting.
People may worry about how others will perceive them, whether someone will believe them, or how speaking up could affect their working relationships or career.
An independent Guardian offers another route.
A safe, independent space where people can speak openly, away from the immediate pressures of their organisation. We listen, help them understand their options, and support them to decide what to do next.
Independent support can help people feel heard, understand their options and navigate concerns with greater confidence.
It can also help organisations understand themes and emerging issues through appropriate anonymised insight.
01
A Safe Route to Speak Up
An independent route for people who may not feel comfortable raising concerns through usual workplace channels.
02
Confidence to Be Heard
A trusted space where people can share concerns, ask questions and explore their options without judgement.
03
Earlier Insight
Understanding themes and emerging issues can give organisations valuable insight into what people are experiencing and where concerns may be developing.
04
Stronger Communication
Clearer communication between people and organisations can build trust, improve relationships and support positive change.
finding your options
What can people speak to us about?
There doesn’t have to be a particular label for something to be worth talking about.
You don’t need to know which policy applies before you speak to us.
Working Practices
Concerns about how work is organised, managed or carried out, including practices that may not feel right or are causing concern.
Bullying & Harassment
A safe place to discuss behaviour that feels intimidating, inappropriate, unwanted or unfair, and to explore what support or options may be available.
Discrimination
Concerns about unfair treatment, exclusion or behaviour that may affect people differently or undermine an inclusive workplace.
Team Relationships
Support with difficult working relationships, communication issues, conflict or behaviours affecting trust within a team.
Ethical Concerns
A confidential route to discuss concerns about integrity, professional standards, decision-making or actions that don’t feel right.
Safeguarding
Concerns about the safety or welfare of others at risk. The Guardian can help you understand your options and connect you with the appropriate safeguarding route.
Some concerns require specialist support or action. Where appropriate, the Guardian will help connect you with the relevant organisational team, specialist service or external support. Clear Voice Guardian does not replace specialist safeguarding, clinical, legal or regulatory services.
Speak up routes
How can I speak up?
You can choose the way of speaking up that feels right for you.
The way your concern can be taken forward may depend on the information available and whether you have chosen to identify yourself. The Guardian will explain this and discuss your options with you.
Our Approach
What happens when you speak to a Guardian?
Throughout the speaking-up journey, you remain at the centre of the conversation.
We Listen
You have the opportunity to explain what’s happening in your own words, in a safe and supportive space.
We Understand
We’ll listen carefully, ask questions where helpful and make sure we understand what you’re concerned about.
We Explore Your Options
We’ll help you understand the possible routes available and consider what feels right for you.
We Agree Next Steps
Where appropriate, we’ll agree what happens next and discuss who may need to be involved.
We Keep You Informed
Where you have provided contact details and it is possible to do so, we’ll keep you informed about what happens next.
More than a Reporting Service
The Guardian model is designed around listening, understanding and helping people navigate difficult situations.
We believe that good speaking-up support should help people feel:
Heard
A safe space to speak openly about what’s happening, ask questions and feel genuinely listened to.
Respected
Your concerns are treated seriously, with compassion, dignity and without judgement.
Supported
Clear guidance to help you understand your options and decide what feels right for you.
Informed
Where possible, you’ll understand your options, what may happen next and the outcome of your concern.
And it should help organisations understand what is happening beneath the surface.
For Organisations
When people speak up, organisations gain valuable insight into their culture and the experiences of their people.
With appropriate anonymisation and safeguards, themes and feedback can help organisations:
Identify Emerging Concerns
Understand concerns and themes emerging across the organisation.
Understand Recurring Issues
Recognise recurring themes and understand what people are experiencing.
Recognise Cultural Patterns
Gain insight into patterns and theme affecting workplace culture.
Strengthen Communication
Support open communication by creating trusted routes for people to share concerns, experiences and feedback.
Support Meaningful Action
Anonymised insight that can help organisations understand colleague experiences.
Act Before Escalation
Use insight from speaking up to understand concerns and consider appropriate action.
The aim isn’t simply to collect concerns. It’s to help organisations understand what those concerns are telling them.
For People Who Want to Speak Up
You Don’t Have to Deal with it Alone
If something doesn’t feel right, you can talk to a Clear Voice Guardian.
You don’t need to have everything worked out and you don’t need to know what the issue should be called.
You simply need somewhere safe to start the conversation.