EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AT THE CARING QUALITY COMMISSION – A SPARKLY LITTLE TIMELINE
8 April 2016
An individual interested in applying for CQC’s National Guardian post wrote:
“I’m seeing David Behan re the NG post next week”
15 April 2016 a question was raised with CQC cc David Behan
“May I enquire if potential candidates are free in the meantime to contact Mr Behan or other senior CQC staff and to request a meeting? If so, has this opportunity been publicised to ensure equal of opportunity. Please direct me to any published information on contacting CQC and arranging a meeting regarding the position.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Minh Alexander”
19 April 2016 the CQC recruitment department advised that they would not offer candidates contact with the recruiting manager before jobs are advertised:
“I can confirm that once a vacancy is advertised on our website, if we receive a role specific query from a candidate we would allow them to speak with the recruiting manager to discuss in more detail. As a recruitment team we would not offer this prior to advertisement.”
25 April 2016, the question of 15 April was repeated to CQC cc David Behan
“I would be grateful if Mr Behan could address the questions from my email of 15 April, below, relating to the period before the National Guardian post is advertised:
“May I enquire if potential candidates are free in the meantime to contact Mr Behan or other senior CQC staff to request a meeting? If so, has this opportunity been publicised to ensure equality of opportunity. Please direct me to any published information on contacting CQC and arranging a meeting regarding the position”.
Best wishes,
Minh”
3 May 2016 CQC replied that potential applicants had NOT been invited to meet senior CQC staff:
“Dear Dr Alexander,
CQC has not invited potential applicants to contact senior CQC staff, but would consider and, where possible and appropriate, facilitate requests Russell Reynolds may receive from potential applicants to discuss the post.”
3 May 2016 a further question was put to CQC cc David Behan:
“Please could Mr Behan advise if any meetings between him and individuals interested in applying for the National Guardian post were (1) arranged (2) took place before the National Guardian post was advertised on 29 April 2016.
Best wishes,
Minh”
5 May 2016 reply from CQC confirming that David Behan had met with candidates prior to advertisement of the National Guardian post on 29 April 2016:
“Dear Dr Alexander,
Mr Behan has had meetings and phone conversations with people interested in applying for the National Guardian post. Meetings were arranged and took place before 29 April. Where an individual requests a meeting – via Russell Reynolds, and where Russell Reynolds have advised that the person meets the criteria for the role – Mr Behan would be willing to meet/discuss the role with any potential applicant, subject to availability and if a mutually convenient time can be arranged.”
Remember campers, closing date for applications is 18 May 2016. Don’t all rush at once!
From: “Docherty, Matthew” <Matthew.Docherty@cqc.org.uk>Subject: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postDate: 5 May 2016 at 13:47:50 BSTTo: Minh Alexander <minhalexander@aol.com>
Dear Dr Alexander,Mr Behan has had meetings and phone conversations with people interested in applying for the National Guardian post. Meetings were arranged and took place before 29 April. Where an individual requests a meeting – via Russell Reynolds, and where Russell Reynolds have advised that the person meets the criteria for the role – Mr Behan would be willing to meet/discuss the role with any potential applicant, subject to availability and if a mutually convenient time can be arranged.Kind regardsMattMatt DochertySenior Correspondence OfficerChairman and Chief Executive’s Private OfficeCare Quality Commission151 Buckingham Palace RoadLondonSW1W 9SZEmail: matthew.docherty@cqc.org.ukStatutory requests for information made pursuant to access to information legislation, such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000, should be sent to: information.access@cqc.org.ukFrom: Minh Alexander [mailto:minhalexander@aol.com]
Sent: 03 May 2016 14:56
To: Docherty, Matthew
Cc: Behan, David
Subject: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postMany thanks Matt.Please could Mr Behan advise if any meetings between him and individuals interested in applying for the National Guardian post were (1) arranged (2) took place before the National Guardian post was advertised on 29 April 2016.Best wishes,MinhFrom: “Docherty, Matthew” <Matthew.Docherty@cqc.org.uk>Subject: RE: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postDate: 3 May 2016 at 14:18:05 BSTTo: Minh Alexander <minhalexander@aol.com>Cc: “Behan, David” <David.Behan@cqc.org.uk>Dear Dr Alexander,CQC has not invited potential applicants to contact senior CQC staff, but would consider and, where possible and appropriate, facilitate requests Russell Reynolds may receive from potential applicants to discuss the post.Kind regardsMattFrom: Docherty, Matthew
Sent: 25 April 2016 14:57
To: ‘Minh Alexander’
Subject: RE: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postDear Dr AlexanderThank you for your email I will ensure that a response is sent to you.Kind regardsMattFrom: Minh Alexander [mailto:minhalexander@aol.com]
Sent: 25 April 2016 14:44
To: Docherty, Matthew
Cc: Behan, David
Subject: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postThank you Matt.I would be grateful if Mr Behan could address the questions from my email of 15 April, below, relating to the period before the National Guardian post is advertised:“May I enquire if potential candidates are free in the meantime to contact Mr Behan or other senior CQC staff to request a meeting? If so, has this opportunity been publicised to ensure equality of opportunity. Please direct me to any published information on contacting CQC and arranging a meeting regarding the position”.Best wishes,Minhcc David Behan CEO CQCFrom: “Docherty, Matthew” <Matthew.Docherty@cqc.org.uk>Subject: RE: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postDate: 25 April 2016 at 14:37:26 BSTTo: Minh Alexander <minhalexander@aol.com>Dear Dr Alexander,Thank you for your query regarding the CQC’s recruitment to the post of the National Guardian. The recruitment timetable is being finalised and I can confirm that the post will be advertised on the NHS jobs website, the CQC website and in the national press. The recruitment process will be supported by an external search company who will be able to provide all the necessary information about the post. As is standard in all recruitment by the CQC, the process will incorporate the CQC’s diversity and equality policy.Kind regards,Matt DochertySenior Correspondence OfficerChairman and Chief Executive’s Private OfficeCare Quality Commission151 Buckingham Palace RoadLondonSW1W 9SZEmail: matthew.docherty@cqc.org.ukStatutory requests for information made pursuant to access to information legislation, such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000, should be sent to: information.access@cqc.org.ukFrom: Minh Alexander [mailto:minhalexander@aol.com]
Sent: 15 April 2016 16:09
To: Enquiries
Cc: Behan, David
Subject: CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postEnquiries Team CQC 15 April 2016Dear Sirs,CQC recruitment to National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian postThank you for your email of 7 April 2016, below, in which you advise that the next advert for the National Guardian will be placed soon on the NHS Jobs site.May I enquire if potential candidates are free in the meantime to contact Mr Behan or other senior CQC staff and to request a meeting? If so, has this opportunity been publicised to ensure equal of opportunity. Please direct me to any published information on contacting CQC and arranging a meeting regarding the position.Yours sincerely,Dr Minh AlexanderCc David Behan CEOFrom: Enquiries <Enquiries@cqc.org.uk>Subject: 20160407 ENQ1-2453415259 CQC Advertisement of posts that comprise the National Guardian’s Team ResponseDate: 7 April 2016 at 10:29:37 BSTDear Dr Alexander,Thank you for contacting the Care Quality Commission (CQC), your enquiry reference number is ENQ1-2453415259.Please accept our sincere apologies for the significant delay in responding to your email enquiries dated 21 January and 1 February 2016, regarding the “Advertisement of posts that comprise the National Guardian’s Team”.I have been informed that the National Guardian role will shortly be advertised externally via NHS Jobs extending to some national press, but we are currently unable to give exact dates. However, it is possible to set up alerts through NHS Jobs, which will keep you updated as soon as anything is posted.Once the National Guardian is appointed, we expect this will likely influence roles within the team, which will be advertised via NHS Jobs.I do hope the above is helpful but please let us know if we can assist with anything further.Yours sincerely,Helen BurkeNational Customer Services Centre OfficerNational Correspondence TeamCustomer & Corporate Services DirectorateCare Quality CommissionTelephone number: 03000 616161Email: enquiries@cqc.org.ukThe Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.www.cqc.org.uk. For general enquiries, telephone the National Contact Centre: 03000 616161.Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.Com/CareQualityCommissionStatutory requests for information made under access to information legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should be sent to: information.access@cqc.org.uk.From: Minh Alexander [mailto:MinhAlexander@aol.com]
Sent: 01 February 2016 21:36
To: Enquiries
Subject: Fwd: ENQ1-2435133394 RE: Advertisement of posts that comprise the National Guardian’s TeamTo Suzanne White National Customer Services Officer, CQC, 29 January 2016Dear Ms White,RE: Advertisement of posts that comprise the National Guardian’s TeamAs I indicated in my later email to the enquiries team of 27, I am seeking clarification because your social media team did not provide full clarification.I would be grateful for answers to my questions of 27 January to the enquiries team could be processed.Yours sincerely,Dr Minh AlexanderFrom: Enquiries <Enquiries@cqc.org.uk>Subject: ENQ1-2435133394 RE: Advertisement of posts that comprise the National Guardian’s TeamDate: 29 January 2016 at 14:18:11 GMTTo: “‘Minh Alexander'” <minhalexander@aol.com>Dear Dr Alexander,Thank you for contacting the Care Quality Commission (CQC), your enquiry reference number is ENQ1-2435133394.I can see on your Twitter feed that our Social media team have been discussing your queries with you. I trust these are now resolved, however, if you have any further questions please do get in touch via any of the below methods.I hope that this helps. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate in contacting us again.We welcome feedback and your thoughts, comments and suggestions are very valuable to us. Please share your experience with us by clicking here.Yours sincerely,Suzanne WhiteNational Customer Services Centre OfficerNational Correspondence TeamCustomer & Corporate Services DirectorateCare Quality CommissionTelephone number: 03000 616161Email: enquiries@cqc.org.ukThe Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. We make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve.www.cqc.org.uk. For general enquiries, telephone the National Contact Centre: 03000 616161.Follow us on Twitter: Twitter.Com/CareQualityCommissionStatutory requests for information made under access to information legislation such as the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000 should be sent to:information.access@cqc.org.uk.From: Minh Alexander [mailto:minhalexander@aol.com]
Sent: 21 January 2016 17:43
Subject: Advertisement of posts that comprise the National Guardian’s TeamDear Sirs,I write to follow up my enquiry by twitter correspondence today: https://twitter.com/Minh_Alexander/status/690224155921420289Please can CQC advise if the posts that comprise the whistleblowing National Guardian’s team will be advertised.If these posts will be advertised, can CQC advise when and where the adverts will placed?Yours sincerely,Dr Minh Alexander
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