A culture of assurance
WE ARE ETHICAL: we behave and operate based on key principles of anti-racism, non-discrimination, and anti-colonialism. This is a work in progress.
Start Network Value: Integrity - Without integrity, we will not be able to achieve our goals, mission, and objectives. Integrity is a key element to establishing trust and trust is needed not only with donors but also with the communities and individuals our member organisations serve. Trust is core to our organisational culture, and it starts with ethics and integrity.
WE ARE BRAVE: we have great ambition and are willing to explore new things and take risks to achieve it.
Start Network Value: Risk Awareness - By moving away from check-list risk approaches and putting organisational objectives at the centre of the analysis we can better align risk identification and management with the goals and mission of an organisation. This approach to risk supports the integration of a risk-aware culture and risk integration into all aspects of Start Network's ways of working.
WE ARE OPEN: we work transparently and with integrity, building mutual trust in all levels of our work, from governance to programming.
Start Network Value: Compliance - Compliance is often the first thing people think of when you say ‘assurance’ but, in reality, compliance is only a very small part of the puzzle. Compliance is usually dictated from legal, regulatory, or donor requirements and is managed with a ‘tic-box’ approach. Compliance is not dynamic and usually doesn't contribute to improved quality or innovation. Start Network takes compliance seriously and we use it in combination with other assurance approaches to give us a more multi-faceted picture of the operating context.
Speak-up/Speak-out
If we are going to integrate a culture of Integrity across the Start Network, we need to ensure everyone – members, staff, participants, vendors, partners, etc. – feels empowered to speak-up and speak-out. Anyone can use the form below or any of the other reporting options to share issues or concerns with Start Network. Everyone has the right to make direct contact with the UK Charity Commission here to raise a concern about a serious risk of harm to the Start Network, its staff, members, and people it seeks to serve.
Anonymous Reporting
We know that bullying, harassment, and retaliation are real and can cause a chilling effect on people’s confidence to speak-up and speak-out. Anonymous reporting options are available through all of our channels. You can also report by accessing the “Speak Up” [https://startnetwork.speakup.report/reporting] portal which allows anonymous reporting in many languages.