Free for members
Organised by The CIPD Branch in Northern Ireland
Explore how HR investigations can cause avoidable harm - and how trauma-informed, compassionate practices can transform outcomes.
Agenda:
12.30 – Welcome to the event
12.35 – When we do harm, Andrew Cooper, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
13.00 – Understanding the impact of trauma on all staff during the HR Investigations, Sanisha Wynter, Mencap
13.20 – How can early mediation help us avoid harm, Enda Young, Centre for Negotiation and Leadership
13.40 – Panel Questions
What can attendees expect:
Join us for an engaging and thought-provoking taster session on avoiding harm in employee investigations, where participants will explore how HR processes - when not applied with care - can unintentionally cause trauma and distress to both employees and those involved in delivering investigations. Drawing on recent research and real-life experiences, this session will highlight the importance of understanding trauma and vicarious trauma, and how these can manifest in workplace investigations. We’ll also examine the transformative potential of early mediation, which, when used proactively, can prevent escalation, reduce harm, and foster a more compassionate and restorative organisational culture. Attendees will leave with practical insights and tools to help make investigations a true last resort, protecting wellbeing and improving outcomes for all.
Speakers:
Andrew Cooper, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Andrew Cooper is Head of Programmes for Employee Wellbeing in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board in NHS Wales. He is also Development Director for the HPMA’s (Healthcare People Management Association) ‘Avoiding Harm’ programme in the UK.
He holds an honorary research role with the University of Plymouth and is leading a programme of research exploring the impact of the disciplinary process on individuals and organisations.
With a background in healthcare improvement and innovation, he has held senior communications roles across the private, public and voluntary sectors and is Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Public Relations for his contribution to healthcare communications.
Sanisha Wynter, Mencap
Sanisha Wynter is Mencap’s Strategic People Lead for Belonging, driving the organisation’s vision for every colleague to feel accepted, supported, safe, and able to be themselves at work. Her work focuses on embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into the fabric of Mencap’s culture ensuring belonging is not a separate initiative but the outcome of strong, values-led people practices.
With a background in organisational development, leadership, and trauma-informed practice, Sanisha partners with senior leaders to create psychologically safe, inclusive environments where difference is valued and colleagues can thrive. She also leads the Learn Act Change campaign and the Belonging Networks, empowering colleagues to turn understanding into meaningful action. Beyond her role at Mencap, Sanisha is an influential speaker and advocate for mental health, intersectionality, and inclusive leadership. Her TEDx Talk, “Vulnerability Is Your Superpower,” explores the power of softness and authenticity as drivers of connection and change.
Enda Young, Centre for Negotiation and Leadership
Enda Young is a specialist in mediation, negotiation and conflict resolution with over twenty-five years’ experience as a practitioner, trainer and speaker. He helps people and organisations manage conflict, negotiate effectively and handle challenging conversations.
He is the Founder and CEO of the Centre for Negotiation and Leadership, a tutor on the Programme on Negotiation at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, a Senior Adjunct Teaching Fellow and Programme Director at Trinity Business School, Dublin, and Faculty Director of the Certified International Negotiator (CIN™) programme in Singapore. He previously served as Managing Director of Mediation Northern Ireland and Programme Director at the William J. Clinton Leadership Institute at Queen’s University Belfast.
Enda holds an MA in Theory, Culture and Identity and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast. He trained at Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and the Rotary Peace Fellowship at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. He is a certified mediator (IMI, MII), an accredited Executive Coach (AoEC) and an Associate Certified Coach (ICF).
Enda has worked with major companies, universities and NGOs worldwide, including Equinor, Sabic, Roche, Danske Bank, WHO, UNDP, BBC, Aljazeera, Oxford University and Trinity College Dublin, and has delivered training across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas.
Please note: