Professional Standards Authority

15/01/2026

We have kicked off 2026 with our first Board meeting at the PSA office in London.

Our Board meets every other month to make decisions about our work. You can stay informed by reading the agendas and minutes, which we publish online.

Find them here:
👉 https://www.professionalstandards.org.uk/about-us/about-our-board/board-meeting-papers-and-agendas

14/01/2026

Have you had experience with DVACT-PAI (www.dvact.org) or expert domestic abuse risk assessors?

The PSA is carrying out an initial assessment of an application from DVACT-PAI, which holds a register of expert domestic abuse risk assessors working across family justice, safeguarding and domestic abuse settings.

We are inviting views to help us understand whether accrediting this type of register would be in the public interest, including the potential benefits, risks and practical impacts.

If you have relevant experience or evidence, we would welcome your feedback.
Share your views by 20 February 2026 here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gqAu-rxK1UWjmFIwQqO9nroBRIZqiVJEhnWTnCkq0-VURjNXQ0dZRkJWWllMSk1GREVPMjQ4VDIwRi4u&route=shorturl

Find out more here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/standards-accredited-registers

09/01/2026

What role does workplace culture place in discouraging complaints among professionals (HCPs)?

Workplace culture can affect the decisions of HCPs and stop them from complaining. This is what we found in our research into the barriers and enablers to making a complaint to a health or social care professional regulator:

1) Rigid hierarchies can make challenging a colleague feel risky, especially when the complainant must continue working alongside the individual concerned.
2) Commonly, HCPs will raise issues with trusted senior colleagues, which sometimes fails to result in action.
3) Many HCPs also reported a fear of retaliation, career repercussions and a negative impact on social cohesion, due to the perceived negative impacts of ‘denouncing a colleague’. This highlights the perceived social cost of reporting, even when patient safety is a primary concern.
4) Low psychological safety during investigations, where they have felt unsettled due to receiving limited updates and unclear timelines. This is particularly difficult to manage as HCPs reported strong ‘blame’ cultures in the workplace.

Follow this link to find out more: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/barriers-and-enablers-making-complaint-health-or-social-care-professional-regulator?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyBw5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvWQlKQqWFyXEipGzYHsJ9JflM7wZ-ldqKsLkmuGmjtRrgTfWH96UCodISr2_aem_rpmvLsFaS4TGu3slI8y2RQ

08/01/2026

Interested in an example of good EDI practice?

In 2023, the General Chiropractic Council surveyed registrants on equality, diversity and inclusion.

Here were some of their key findings:

✅ Only 57% felt the profession adequately served diverse communities
✅ Over 25% did not feel prepared to manage EDI in the workplace
✅ Views on mandatory EDI training were split – 47% agreeing it was necessary

The research revealed a gap in understanding: many registrants believed providing the same care for all was enough, overlooking how tailored care is essential for equitable health outcomes.

In response, the GCC made EDI the mandatory subject for focused reflection in the 2023/24 CPD year, linking it to relevant standards in The Code. To support this, it published 10 EDI scenarios in its monthly newsletter, exploring how protected characteristics can impact patient care.

Learn more in our Good Practice Guide: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/psa-publishes-guidance-share-good-practice-how-regulators-are-working-address?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyDwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnVDeXHu_q2qKkUHDJwM1j9uuPqNE4A-uWfQQAZW4piHxGwg7PxFqDnwd6QY_aem_-HxBvcdvwxlvwTqcimxI-Q

07/01/2026

💭Updating Right-touch regulation for today’s challenges 💭

Right-touch regulation helps regulators act proportionately, once the level of risk has been considered. Last year, we refreshed the framework for the first time since 2015, ensuring it reflects the challenges ad opportunities faced today. We highlight that agility and collaboration are more important than ever in addressing these issues.

Discover what’s new and why it matters: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/updated-version-right-touch-regulation-responds-current-challenges?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyTz1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqN8FiegkgH97X3mW8Rc9oGYjTFD5Sp0WIHmYDyq-fr4Q1_zyi7pHonllj_g_aem_UxlU9IqFeuWd5T7RKHCRpQ

07/01/2026

We welcome the proposal to improve access for children to receive school counselling. Counselling is not regulated by law. The PSA accredits bodies registering counsellors and other practitioners offering mental and emotional support, to help promote high standards of care. Children deserve nothing less than this.

We also welcome the emphasis by Baroness Tyler within her proposals for practitioners to be registered with, or accredited by, a body recognised by the Secretary of State.

We thank the BACP, which is accredited by the PSA, for its work to support the amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would deliver this change.

News from BACP | This follows more than a year of conversations and campaigning

06/01/2026

📢Read our latest blog 📢

Sexual safety at work – what does the duty to prevent harassment mean for regulators?

A change in the law means employers have a proactive duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. But what does this mean for regulators?

In this blog, Jon Lewis and Keziah Pearson from Capsticks Solicitors LLP explain:
1) What the new duty involves
2) How it affects regulators as employers
3) Why setting the tone for the profession matters

👉 Read the full piece here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/sexual-safety-work-duty-employers-prevent-sexual-harassment-workplace-what?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyGq9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHr5uF_V8JuISdTM174zXIXSaXAH2QKAZBcmbM8xijt6yt4VT38NEPtjDVMJh_aem_N0GrCxu-VoYJBZ-TUfhD4Q

06/01/2026

At the PSA, we recognise the value of a collaborative, cross-sector approach to AI regulation, especially given the complex, fragmented regulatory landscape in health and social care.

Read our submission to Department for Science, Innovation and Technology AI Growth Lab call for evidence.

Read our submission to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's call for evidence on its AI Growth Lab.

05/01/2026

How are we helping regulators use new powers effectively?

Legislative reform is changing how complaints are resolved, giving the General Medical Council (GMC), Nursing and Midwifery Council - NMC, and The Health and Care Professions Council greater agility. In 2025, we published guidance on making the most of new powers, including the use of ‘accepted outcomes’, which is a less adversarial process.

Read our guidance here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/psa-publishes-guidance-help-regulators-use-new-powers-protect-public?fbclid=IwY2xjawOySvpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmH4H3UkEvncY4pG1_fat-GsB2msP9Zwk08uu1jZtheBHRiJzYKufwB4CKP3_aem_9hDkVc790vQjNSJUSaKFJw

02/01/2026

Case Study: How the General Optical Council (GOC) uses data to drive quality and inclusion in optical education

Every year, providers of GOC-approved qualifications submit annual monitoring and reporting forms as part of the GOC’s quality assurance process. These include key metrics on equality, diversity and inclusion and widening participation.

The GOC analyses this data to:
✅ Identify key themes and trends
✅ Share good practice
✅ Encourage providers to compare their activities with others, to identify quality improvements

For more examples of good practice, read our guide: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/psa-publishes-guidance-share-good-practice-how-regulators-are-working-address?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyDwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnVDeXHu_q2qKkUHDJwM1j9uuPqNE4A-uWfQQAZW4piHxGwg7PxFqDnwd6QY_aem_-HxBvcdvwxlvwTqcimxI-Q

01/01/2026

How do experiences differ between health and care professionals (HCPs) and service users, when it comes to making a complaint to a health or social care regulator?

HCPs and service users experience the complaints process differently:
HCPs often raise concerns about colleagues they still work with, facing team dynamics, and professional hierarchy. Service users usually have little personal connection but may have suffered direct harm, framing their expectations of acknowledgement.

Both want safer care and public protection, but their secondary drivers differ:
HCPs tend to focus on upholding professional standards. Service users tend to seek justice and an explanation.

Barriers they face:
HCPs may face a fear of retaliation and cultural pressures. Service users often face a lack of awareness, uncertainty, and risk of re-traumatisation.

Click here to find out more: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/publications/barriers-and-enablers-making-complaint-health-or-social-care-professional-regulator?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyBw5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvWQlKQqWFyXEipGzYHsJ9JflM7wZ-ldqKsLkmuGmjtRrgTfWH96UCodISr2_aem_rpmvLsFaS4TGu3slI8y2RQ

31/12/2025

How can decision-making be fair, consistent and robust?

Our recent report offers data, case studies and thematic insights to support fitness to practise decision-making by regulators’ panels.

Read the full analysis here: www.professionalstandards.org.uk/news-and-updates/news/psa-publishes-report-aimed-strengthening-fitness-practise-decisions?fbclid=IwY2xjawOyRfxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETA4VURqT2FBTmlkQ3JqbXBOc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqN8FiegkgH97X3mW8Rc9oGYjTFD5Sp0WIHmYDyq-fr4Q1_zyi7pHonllj_g_aem_UxlU9IqFeuWd5T7RKHCRpQ

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has today published its first report focused on its ‘S