Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: State here which EYFS Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement this document relates to.

Providers must put in place a written procedure for dealing with a member of staff being concerned about another staff’s actions/practice.

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BCC – The Ark Preschool and Daycare

 

INFORMATION AND RECORDS

 

10.13 Whistleblowing

 

Policy statement

 

We are committed to delivering a high quality pre-school service, promoting organisational accountability and maintaining public confidence.

 

This provides our staff with protection from victimisation or punishment where they raise a genuine concern about misconduct or malpractice within the setting. The policy is underpinned by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which encourages people to raise concerns about misconduct or malpractice in the workplace, in order to promote accountability. The Act covers behaviour, which amounts to:

• A criminal offence

• Failure to comply with any legal obligation

• A miscarriage  of justice

• Danger to health and safety of an individual and/or the environment

• Deliberate concealment of information about any of the above

 

This policy is not a substitute for our grievance procedure but it is designed to nurture a culture of openness and transparency within the setting, which makes it a safe and acceptable place for employees and volunteers to raise, in good faith, a concern they may have about misconduct or malpractice.  

 

Procedures

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• An employee or volunteer who, acting in good faith, wishes to raise such a concern should normally report it to the manager or DSL who will advise the employee or volunteer of the action that will be taken in response to the concern expressed. Concerns should be investigated and resolved as quickly as possible.  

• If necessary the manager should seek advice from MASH or LADO if the complaint refers to the care of a child. 

• If an employee or volunteer feels the matter cannot be discussed with the manager then they should contact the director or escalate the complaint using the escalation policy from the LA. 

• A disclosure in good faith to the manager 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 organisation. 

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Legal framework 

 

Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. 

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Further guidance 

 

• List here any Government documents that provide guidance on abiding by the relevant legal framework. 

• Osted Guidance Sharing concerns and information with Ofsted about children’s social care services (2018) 

 

This policy was adopted at a meeting of BCC – The Ark Preschool & Daycare 

Held on April 2024

Date to be reviewed March 2025

Signed on behalf of the provider 

Name of signatory Arzu Subasi

Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner): Manager

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