Turning Near Misses into Learning Opportunities in Social Care
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Near misses are incidents that almost caused harm — but didn’t. They’re often overlooked. But in tenders and inspections, showing how you learn from them can set your service apart.
🚨 Why Near Misses Matter
A near miss reveals a gap in your system. Maybe it was a medication error caught at the last second, or a fall narrowly avoided. Learning from that moment is your chance to prevent future harm.
In tenders, you could describe how your team:
- Reports and logs near misses alongside actual incidents
- Reviews them in team meetings to spot patterns
- Updates care plans or protocols in response
📊 Building a Culture That Values Learning
Staff need to feel safe to report near misses. That means:
- No blame — focus on what went wrong, not who did it
- Clear reporting channels and supportive management
- Celebrating learning, not hiding mistakes
Highlighting this culture shows commissioners you’re proactive, not reactive.
📝 Tender Tip
If you’ve made service improvements based on near misses — talk about them. Even small changes (like clearer signage, safer storage, or updated rota checks) show that you take potential risks seriously.