How active bystandership can support a multi-agency partnership.

Active bystandership is like the immune system of a workplace, team or partnership: when people step in early and constructively, they prevent small problems from becoming a major crisis. The benefits ripple outward in ways that touch everyone, not just the direct “targets” of intervention. Many child/adult safeguarding failures are due to poor communication or professionals not acting when they noticed concerns. A culture of intervention that is normal will reduce the harms from inaction

Active bystandership is the art and science of reducing harm and can significantly strengthen a multi-agency partnership (MAP) involving police, social work, health, and education by promoting a culture of accountability, support, and ethical intervention.  It’s about not staying silent, even if the person causing harm is a colleague or authority figure.

Active bystandership is like the immune system of a workplace, a team or partnership: when people step in early and constructively, they prevent small problems from becoming a major crisis. The benefits ripple outward in ways that touch everyone, not just the direct “targets” of intervention.

When professionals from different sectors (like police, health, social work, and education) collaborate, tensions, blind spots, or systemic issues can arise. Active bystandership becomes essential for:

1. Encouraging Early Intervention

• Staff can speak up when they see signs of neglect, abuse, or poor practice — even if it’s outside their agency.
• Example: A teacher notices a child showing signs of trauma and pushes for social services to act sooner, even if the system is slow.

• Challenging Unprofessional or Harmful Behaviour

• Helps prevent misconduct, bias, or discrimination (e.g. racism, victim-blaming) across agencies.
• Police officers, teachers, or health workers can hold each other accountable respectfully.

• Building a Culture of Mutual Responsibility

• Active bystandership empowers every team member — regardless of role or seniority — to act in the best interest of those they serve.
• This flattens hierarchy and promotes psychological safety, so even junior staff feel safe to raise concerns.

• Improving Safeguarding Outcomes

• Many child/adult safeguarding failures are due to poor communication or professionals not acting when they noticed concerns.
• When we are encouraging active bystandership we help ensure that:
  • People follow up on referrals
  • Professionals challenge decisions if needed
  • No one assumes “someone else will deal with it”

• Reducing Groupthink

• Active bystanders help break group complacency or “going along to get along.”
• Professionals can question delays, challenge assumptions, and offer alternative viewpoints.

• Strengthening Inter-Agency Trust

• When all partners see each other actively holding themselves to high standards, it builds respect and confidence in the partnership.
• This helps collaboration work smoothly, especially during high-pressure or high-risk cases.

Let’s apply this to a potential situation –

A social worker is in a multi-agency meeting where a police officer dismisses a young victim’s report of domestic violence, suggesting they are being “manipulative.”

An active bystander, such as a teacher or nurse, respectfully challenges that view, citing the child’s disclosures and emotional state. This leads to a more trauma-informed response and more support being offered.

How To Embed Active Bystandership in a MAP

• Training: Shared in-person training across agencies on how to intervene safely and constructively
• Policies: Clear whistleblowing and reporting structures across sectors
• Culture: Leaders talking about and modelling bystander behaviour and rewarding it
• Debriefs: Encouraging reflection and feedback after cases or meetings
• Shared language: Agree on what unacceptable behaviour looks like and how to challenge it respectfully

In Summary:

Active bystandership supports multi-agency partnerships by:

• Promoting early and ethical intervention
• Enhancing safeguarding efforts
• Reducing the risk of professional complacency
• Creating a culture of accountability and respect across sectors

It empowers individuals to speak up, which can make all the difference — especially when dealing with vulnerable people at risk.