WHISTLEBLOWING WITHIN THE WORKPLACE

 POLICY STATEMENT

Whistle blowing is raising a concern about malpractice within the workplace. The children who attend Groombridge Preschool have a right to play and learn in a safe and positive environment. This policy is to enable staff, volunteers, students and directors the right to make a complaint should they witness any concerns surrounding the protection of children or adult behaviour within the setting. Bringing a complaint or concern to the manager or chair of directors or another professional body is the responsibility of everyone.

 PROCEDURE

This policy is designed to nurture a culture of openness and transparency which makes it safe and acceptable for an employee, volunteer, student or director to raise a concern in good faith. It is not an alternative to the Grievance policy and should be read alongside other relevant policies.

We are committed to providing paid and unpaid staff with an effective mechanism for dealing with situations that arise from concerns within the workplace. An employee, volunteer, student or director who, acting in good faith, wishes to raise a concern should normally report the matter to the Manager who should advise the individual of the action she will take in response to the concerns expressed. This could include consulting with other professional bodies such as the Area Safeguarding Board, the SPoA, Ofsted, Early Years Alliance. Concerns will be investigated and resolved as quickly as possible. The individual who has raised the concern will be notified in writing of the result of the concern within 28 days. We will also notify other professional bodies of the concern. If the concern is an allegation of serious harm or abuse by any person working or looking after children on the premises, the LADO and Ofsted will be informed immediately.

If the individual feels they cannot discuss the matter with the Manager or if they still have concerns after informing the Manager, the concern should be reported to the Chair of the Directors. The Chair will decide in consultation if necessary with the other professional bodies (as mentioned above) what action is to be taken. Alternatively the NSPCC have a designated Advice Line for practitioners who wish to discuss a concern: 0800 0280285.  

A disclosure, in good faith, to the Manager or the Chair will be protected. Confidentiality will be maintained wherever possible. The individual raising the concern will not suffer any detrimental treatment and will be supported as much as possible as we recognise how stressful it can be to report a colleague. NB: There are no restrictions in Employment law relating to length of service or age of individual. Under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, employees may safely seek legal advice on any concerns they have about malpractice. This Act does not at present cover volunteers.

Types of Concern

·         Any conduct which is an offence or a breach of law.

·         Practice which is in breach of the statutory requirements laid out in the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2014, from which Early Years Professionals are governed by

·         Any health and safety risk

·         Discrimination

·         Anti-social behaviour such as bullying and humiliation

·         Abuse and neglect

·         Sexual or physical abuse

·         Damage to the environment

·         The unauthorised use of preschool funds

·         Possible fraud and corruption

·         Other unethical conduct

CONTACTS

Single Point of Advice (SPOA)

Telephone: 01323 464222

Email: spoa@eastsussex.gov.uk

Local Area Designated Officer (LADO)

Telephone: 07825 782793

Email: amanda.glover@eastsussex.gov.uk

Safeguarding Unit (if LADO is unavailable but consultation required)

Telephone: 01323 466606

Email: lado@eastsussex.gov.uk

 Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

Telephone: 01424 724144

Emergency Duty Service (EDS)

Telephone: 01273 335905/335906

NSPCC Whistelblowing Advice Line

Telephone 0800 028 0285

Email: www.nspcc.org.uk/whistleblowing

This policy is known, agreed and implemented by all staff.

This policy is known and made available to all parents.

This policy was review January 2020