Whistle Blowing Policy
Reviewed May 2016
Mrs Amanda McGarrigle
Introduction
St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary School staff and governors are committed to the
highest possible standards of openness, probity and accountability; and we
encourage employees and others working with us to raise any concerns about
any aspect of our work to come forward and voice these concerns. In some
incidences concerns may need to be expressed on a confidential basis.
This procedure encourages employees to raise serious concerns, without fear
of reprisal or victimisation, internally rather than overlooking the problem or
raising the issue outside.
It applies to all employees, agency workers and those contractors working on
school premises (for example cleaners, builders and supply teachers). It also
covers suppliers and those providing services under a contract.
Other Complaints Procedures
This procedure is separate to St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary School’s complaints
procedure, and other statutory reporting procedures applying to some
directorates. The Headteacher is responsible for making service users aware
of these procedures.
Any investigation into allegations of potential malpractice under these
procedures will not influence or be influenced by any disciplinary or
redundancy procedures that already affect an individual.
Aim and Scope
This procedure aims to ensure individuals are:
 encouraged to feel confident in raising serious concerns and o question
and act upon concerns about practice.
 Provided with avenues to raise concerns and receive feedback on any
action taken.
 Given a response to their concerns and are aware of how to pursue
them if not satisfied.
 Reassured that they will be protected from reprisals or victimisation if
they have a reasonable belief any disclosure has been made in good
faith.
There are existing procedures in place to enable individuals to lodge a
grievance relating to their own employment including issues relating to
harassment and bullying. St Mary’s CE(VA) Primary School has adopted the
National Society procedures for those issues. This procedure is intended to
cover concerns that fall outside the scope of other procedures.
These include:
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conduct which is, has been or is likely to be an offence or breech of law
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conduct that has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur, the
consequence of which the school will fail to comply with a legal
obligation. For example unauthorised use of public funds, possible
fraud and corruption, sexual or physical abuse of clients, or other
unethical conduct or discrimination of any kind or wasteful./frivolous
expenditure.
Disclosures related to past, current or like miscarriages of justice.
Past, current or likely health and safety risks, including risks to the
public as well as employees.
Past, current or likely damage to the environment.
Concerns about any aspect of service provision, or the conduct of officers or
St Mary’s staff or others acting on behalf of the school, can be reported as a
confidential disclose under these procedures. This may be something that
you:
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feel uncomfortable about in terms of known standards, your
experience, or your belief of the standards the school subscribes to.
Is against the school’s standing orders or policies.
Falls below established standards of practice.
Amounts to improper conduct.
St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary School’s complaint’s procedure should be used to
raise any issues, concerns or complaints of a health and safety nature and
which are not confidential.
Confidentiality
All concerns raised will be treated in confidence and every effort will be
reasonably made not to reveal the complainant’s identity. However it is
acknowledged that it may not be possible to maintain confidentiality, for
example if you are required to act as a witness.
Anonymous Allegations
Wherever possible you should put your name to an allegation, as concerns
expressed anonymously are much less powerful than those that are attributed
to a named individual. However anonymous allegations will be considered
and investigated at the Headteacher’s discretion.
In exercising the discretion, the factors which will be taken into account would
include:
 the seriousness of the issue raised
 the credibility of the concern
 the likelihood of confirming the allegation from attributable sources.
Untrue or Malicious Allegations
If you make an allegation in good faith that is not subsequently confirmed by
an investigation, no action will be taken. Disciplinary action will be taken
against individuals who knowingly make false, malicious or vexatious
allegations.
How to Raise a Concern
Concerns can be raised verbally or in writing, but in making a verbal complaint
or raising a concern, you need to make it clear that that you are using the
whistle blowing procedure. A concern in writing should:
 set out the background and history of the concern, giving names, dates
and places.
 Explain the reason why you are concerned.
 Name the person this concern is about.
The earlier a concern is raised, the easier it is to take action. Although you are
not expected to proved beyond doubt the truth of an allegation, you need to
demonstrate to the person contacted that there are sufficient grounds for a
concern.
A trade union or professional association may raise a matter on behalf of an
employee.
Step 1 – Raising your Concern
Wherever possible you should raise your concern with your immediate
manager, or his or her manager. In a school setting this would be the Deputy
Headteacher or the Headteacher. If this is not possible you should approach
the following:
Directorate
Independent Helpline
Contact Name
Public Concern at Work
Number
0203 117 2520
Kent County Council has an Anti Freud and Corruption Policy Statement, and
all suspected financial irregularities must be reported to the Chief Internal
Auditor.
Step 2 – How the School will Respond
The action the school takes will depend upon the nature of the concern. The
matters raised may:
 be investigated internally by management, internal audit or through the
disciplinary procedures.
 be referred to the police.
 Be referred to the external auditor.
 Be referred to the LADO and social services.
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form the basis of an independent inquiry.
In order to protect individuals and KCC, initial enquiries will be made to decide
whether an investigation is appropriate, and if so, what form it should take.
Concerns and allegations which fall within the scope of specific procedures,
would normally be referred for consideration under those procedures.
Some concerns may be resolved by agreed actions, without the need for an
investigation. If urgent action is required, this will be taken before any
investigation is conducted.
Within ten working days the responsible person will write to you:
 acknowledging the concern that has been received
 indicating how the school proposes to deal with the matter
 giving an estimate of how long it will take to provide a final response
 informing you of whether an investigation will take place.
Contact
The amount of contact with the investigating officer and the complainant will
depend upon the issues raised. If necessary, further information will be
sought.
Support
The Headteacher and Governing Body will take steps to minimise any
difficulties you may experience as a result of raising a concern. For example if
you are required to give evidence in a criminal hearing, or against a member
of staff in a disciplinary hearing. The Headteacher will arrange for you to be
given advice and support about the procedure.
The Headteacher, School Governing Body, The Diocese of Rochester and
KCC will not tolerate harassment or victimisation of any kind (including
informal pressure).
The school accepts that you will need to be assured that any complaint will be
properly addressed, and subject to legal constraints, will provide information
about the outcome if appropriate.
How Matters Can Be Taken Further
This procedure is intended to provide individuals with an avenue to raise
concerns within the school. If you are not satisfied, and feel that it is right to
take the matter further, the following are possible contact points you may feel
are appropriate:
 Public Concern at Work
 Audit Commission
 A Local Kent County Council Member
 Relevant Professional Bodies or Regulatory Organisations
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A Solicitor
The Police
If you choose to take the matter outside of the school, you must take all
reasonable steps to ensure that confidential or privileged information is not
disclosed. The school is also not responsible for any costs incurred should
you choose to take this matter down a cost baring route.
Public Interest Disclosure
Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 gives employees two safeguards in
respect of disclosures of information:
 an employee is entitled not to be subjected to any detriment by virtue of
having made a protected disclosure.
 The dismissal of any school employee directly due to the individual
having made a disclosure will automatically be unfair.