Freedom to Speak Up Guardian speaking

Speaking up

What is speaking up?

It is about speaking up about anything that gets in the way of doing a great job.

Freedom to Speak Up Guardians support workers to speak up when they feel that they are unable to in other ways.

There are over 1,000 Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in the NHS and independent sector organisations, national bodies and elsewhere.

25,382 cases raised (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023)

We can all take action to help speaking up business as usual.

If you have completed our E-learning course - Speak Up, Listen Up, Follow Up - you can make a speaking up pledge.

Make a #SpeakUpPledge
Woman looking at speech bubble

About Us

Freedom To Speak Up

The National Guardian’s Office leads, trains and supports a network of Freedom to Speak Up Guardians in England and provides support and challenge to the healthcare system in England on speaking up.

The latest from NGO

Read the latest news, announcements, case studies and blogs from the National Guardian’s Office.

Speak Up Review into experiences of overseas-trained workers

Overseas-trained workers make up a significant and growing portion of the healthcare workforce in England. They come from…...

Response to publication of the NHS Leadership Competency Framework

NHS England has published The NHS Leadership Competency Framework (LCF), for all board members of NHS providers,…...

Culture Review of Ambulance Trusts

Listening to Workers – A Speak Up Review of Ambulance Trusts in England was published in…...

Thank you so much for this service

I have had a terribly tough and disappointing employee experience – I felt I had no other choice than to leave. Since leaving and feeling stronger, I have taken the step to contact the Freedom to Speak Up Guardian at the organisation. I wanted to share some feedback on how utterly professional, compassionate and objective the Guardian was. They have really helped me to find courage, self belief and also closure on what truly has left a detrimental effect on my professional confidence. Thank you so much for this service.

Read more stories from people who have spoken up