Imagine an organizational culture of trust, learning and accountability. In the wake of an incident, a restorative just culture asks: ‘who are hurt, what do they need, and whose obligation is it to meet that need?’ It doesn’t dwell on questions of rules and violations and consequences. Instead, it gathers those affected by an incident and collaboratively addresses the harms and needs created by it, in a way that is respectful to all parties. It holds people accountable by looking forward to what must be done to repair, to heal and to prevent. This film documents the amazing transformation in one organization —Mersey Care, an NHS mental health trust in the UK. Only a few years ago, blame was common and trust was scarce. Dismissals were frequent: caregivers were suspended without a clear idea of what they might have done wrong. Mersey Care’s journey toward a just and learning culture has repaired and reinvigorated relationships between staff, leaders and service users. It has enhanced people’s engagement, joint ownership and sense of responsibility. It has taken the organization to a place where hurt doesn’t get met with more hurt, but with healing.
Peoples interactions drive the phenomenon that we know as culture. It’s fuelled by beliefs, values and bia,s that are allowed to continue without being challenged or allowed to be challenged. So then people adapt and the dysfunctional social structure is allowed to remain and embed further into the organisation. This social structure then drives and directs the organisations path….until one day the organisation implodes and is no more.