The North West Professional Standards Team are excited to share our Compassionate Leadership Framework and Toolkit, LOTUS (for leaders and organisations involved in managing professional standards concerns).
This toolkit is the culmination of two years of work which started with discussions about compassion with Higher Level Responsible Officers in our north west network. The toolkit is based on a framework of 5 elements which support a resounding ‘Call to Action’ to all those involved in professional standards processes, to develop, enhance and promote compassion, creating a social movement.
The LOTUS Toolkit will enable you, your teams and your organisations to translate the principles of compassionate approaches into a reality. These principles are positively reinforced through application and practice with practical exercises. With a foreword from Professor Michael West CBE, the Toolkit has its roots firmly in leading with compassion and wisdom to nurture compassionate cultures.
During 2024/25, the Toolkit has been piloted across the north west of England with seven organisations who have all chosen to apply the toolkit differently, supporting and enhancing existing approaches that the organisation relies on when concerns are raised. Feedback has been positive and all of the participants are coming to present their experiences and learning at the North West Responsible Officer Network in September 2025.
Further information can be found on the NHS England North West webpage, Growing Compassion in Professional Standards including a link to the toolkit itself
If you would like a conversation with the team that have led on this work, please contact Julie-Ann Bowden, Head of Professional Standards, NHSE North West
