Whistleblowing means the confidential raising of concerns within the school by a member of staff, Trustee or member of the community about suspected fraud, malpractice or other wrongdoing. The proper term for this is 'protected disclosure'. It is not the same as 'leaking' information, and it is not the same as a personal grievance, which is dealt with under the school's grievance procedure. This policy has been introduced in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) 1998 and the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act (ERRA) 2013, and reflects the school's commitment to a climate of trust and openness so that genuine concerns can be raised with confidence that they will be properly considered and resolved. All staff are made aware of the process through regular briefings and the staff handbook.

Appropriate Circumstances for Whistleblowing

Individuals are encouraged to come forward with genuine concerns, knowing they will be taken seriously. Before raising a concern, a whistleblower should consider questions such as whether the matter is in the public interest, whether it is or may be illegal or a criminal offence, whether it damages or risks damaging the environment, whether it breaches codes of practice issued by the school, the local authority, the DfE or a professional body, and whether it negatively affects the welfare of children.

• Child protection issues, including sexual, emotional or physical abuse of pupils or others, or any safeguarding concern about a staff member, supply staff, volunteer or contractor.
• Manipulation of accounting records or finances, inappropriate use of school assets or funds, or decision-making for personal gain.
• Criminal activity, fraud, deceit, corrupt practices, or serious breaches of school procedure that advantage a particular party.
• Dangerous practices, abuse of position, serious misuse of authority, a miscarriage of justice, or suppressing information about any of the above.

Individuals who raise malicious, unfounded concerns, or who make mischief, will also be taken seriously and this may constitute a disciplinary offence. Whistleblowers are encouraged to put their name to an allegation; where confidentiality is requested, the Investigating Officer and/or Trust Board will do their best to protect the whistleblower's identity, save where this becomes difficult to maintain — for example where a legal procedure requires evidence, or where the safeguarding of children is the issue.

Confidentiality

There are circumstances in which complete confidentiality may be difficult for the Investigating Officer and/or Trustees to maintain — for example if the matter leads to a legal procedure and evidence is required by the court, if the whistleblower is asked to provide a signed statement as part of another school procedure, or when the safeguarding of children is the issue. Anonymous allegations will only be considered where the issue raised is very serious, the credibility of the allegation is high, and the likelihood of confirming it is high.

Raising a Concern

The school encourages the whistleblower to raise the matter internally in the first instance, to give staff and Trustees in positions of responsibility the opportunity to address the issue. The school has designated the following individuals to deal with such matters; the whistleblower may choose whichever contact they consider most appropriate:

• Mr S Barber, Principal (SBarber@carshaltonboys.org)
• Mr A Forder, Community Trustee (aforder@cbsc.co.uk)
• Ms J Long, HR Manager & Clerk to the Trust Board (JLong@carshaltonboys.org)

It is preferable for a concern to be raised in writing (including by e-mail), marked private and confidential and addressed to one of the named individuals above, although it may also be raised in person. Independent advice can also be obtained from the charity Public Concern at Work (3rd Floor, Bank Chambers, 6–10 Borough High Street, London, SE1 9QQ; telephone 020 7404 6609; www.pcaw.co.uk), which offers free, confidential legal advice to people concerned about serious malpractice at work.

Whistle-blowing policy can be found on our Policies Page HERE