Exam Pass Notes

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A Simple 6-Step Memory Aid

• Notice it
• Protect safety
• Record facts
• Report early
• Expect fairness
• Speak up about patterns

Core Legal and Practical Points

• There is no single legal definition of bullying, but it can cause serious physical and psychological harm.
• Harassment becomes unlawful in Great Britain when unwanted behaviour is linked to a protected characteristic under equality law.
• Victimisation can occur when someone is treated worse because they raised or supported a complaint.
• Northern Ireland follows a different equality-law framework; check NI-specific guidance where relevant.
• Sexual harassment should be managed via your employer's sexual-harassment procedures and is covered in a separate course.

How It Shows Up

• Typical examples include public criticism, sarcasm, excessive workloads, withholding information, exclusion, mocking, hostile messages, and misuse of authority.
• Abuse from residents, relatives, visitors, or visiting professionals is not normal and should be addressed.
• Behaviour linked to a resident's condition may require care planning and clinical input, but staff safety remains a priority.
• Bullying and harassment damage handover quality, incident reporting, organisational learning, and residents' experience.

Response and Culture

• Secure immediate safety and preserve relevant evidence where possible.
• Follow the correct reporting route; do not rely solely on endurance or informal coping strategies.
• Processes should not penalise people who raise concerns.
• The CQC links high levels of bullying and poor speaking-up culture with unsafe services.