Whistleblowing Policy
Whisteblowing is raising a concern about malpractice within an organisation or through an independent structure associated with it. (UK Committee on Standards in Public Life). The pre-school is committed to delivering a high quality service, promoting accountability and maintaining public confidence.
This policy provides individuals in the workplace with protection from victimisation or punishment when they raise a genuine concern about misconduct or malpractice in the group. It is not intended that this policy be a substitute for, or an alternative to the group’s formal Grievance Procedure, but is designed to nurture a culture of openness and transparency within the group, which makes it safe and acceptable for employees and volunteers to raise, in good faith, a concern they may have about misconduct or malpractice. We accept that there may be rare occasions when situations arise which are illegal, improper or unethical. We are committed to providing all staff and volunteers with an effective mechanism for dealing with such situations.
This policy provides individuals in the workplace with protection from victimisation or punishment when they raise a genuine concern about misconduct or malpractice in the group. It is not intended that this policy be a substitute for, or an alternative to the group’s formal Grievance Procedure, but is designed to nurture a culture of openness and transparency within the group, which makes it safe and acceptable for employees and volunteers to raise, in good faith, a concern they may have about misconduct or malpractice. We accept that there may be rare occasions when situations arise which are illegal, improper or unethical. We are committed to providing all staff and volunteers with an effective mechanism for dealing with such situations.
- An employee or volunteer who, acting in good faith, wishes to raise such a concern should normally report the matter to their line manager who will advise her/him of the action s/he will take in response to the concerns expressed. Concerns should be investigated and resolved as quickly as possible.
- If an employee or volunteer feels the matter cannot be discussed with the line manager, s/he should report it to the Committee Chairperson who will decide what action is to be taken. This may include whether the issue raised can be dealt with through the group’s Grievance Procedure.
- A disclosure made in good faith will be protected. Confidentiality will be maintained wherever possible and the employee or volunteer will not suffer any personal detriment as a result of raising any genuine concern about misconduct or malpractice within the pre-school.
- Heavitree Community Pre-school encourages staff within the pre-school to use the Whistleblowing policy if they are concerned about any member of staffs, students or volunteers conduct that may have an adverse effect on any child’s wellbeing within the pre-school.
