Making Policies Human: From Compliance to Care Excellence ft Elisha Kemp

Policies and procedures are meant to keep people safe but for many frontline care teams they feel confusing, overwhelming, and disconnected from real-world care.
In this episode of Care Intelligence, Tanya is joined by Elisha Kemp, Founder of EK Psychotherapies and one of the first expert contributors to OpenDoc, to unpack what policies really feel like on the ground and how we can do better.

With over 14 years’ experience in mental health, Elisha has worked across inpatient wards, community services, and CAMHS, before going on to build a fast-growing psychotherapy service rooted in ethics, accessibility, and human-centred care. She brings a rare combination of frontline insight, leadership experience, and lived experience as a neurodivergent professional.
Together, Tanya and Elisha explore:
Why so many care policies become “tick-box exercises” instead of practical tools
The reality of trying to use policies under pressure on the frontline
How traditional policy formats unintentionally exclude neurodivergent staff
Why accessibility, real-world examples, and lived experience matter in governance
How OpenDoc is helping move policies beyond compliance and towards care excellence
What collaboration looks like when the care community builds solutions together
This conversation is honest, human, and hopeful. It is a reminder that policies do not have to be something we endure. They can be something that genuinely supports care teams to do their best work.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Policies should act as guardrails for quality care, not barriers to good practice
Frontline teams need policies that are clear, accessible, and rooted in real experience
Neurodiversity must be considered in how information is written and shared
The future of care governance is collaborative, expert-led, and community-driven.

🚀 What to Do Next

Explore OpenDoc and see how expert-driven policies can support your organisation
If you are a care leader or frontline professional, get involved and contribute your expertise
Share this episode with someone who has ever struggled with policies at work

👤 About the Guest

Elisha Kemp is a CBT Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Founder of EK Psychotherapies. With a background spanning inpatient mental health, CAMHS, community services, and corporate wellbeing, Elisha is a passionate advocate for accessible care, neurodiversity, and turning governance into something that works for real people.