Raising Concerns at Work (Whistleblowing)

1. Introduction

Employees are often the first to realise that there us something seriously wrong in their workplace but may not feel confident to express their concerns. Lewisham council recognises that the decision to report a concern is a difficult one to make, not least because of the fear of reprisals from those responsible for the malpractice. The council therefore has a whistleblowing policy to support and enable employees to raise concerns where necessary. Individuals who raise concerns under a whistleblowing policy are protected under law by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

The main aims of whistleblowing policies are to:

• Encourage and support the reporting of all unethical or inappropriate behaviour so that this can be challenged at all levels of the organisation;
• Ensure all employees feel supported in speaking up in confidence and reporting matters they suspect may be improper, unethical or inappropriate;
• Provide a clear procedure for reporting concerns and giving feedback on any action taken;
• Manage all disclosures in a timely, consistent and professional manner;
• Provide assurance to employees that all disclosures will be take seriously, treated confidentially and managed without fear of adverse consequences to the individual if they have raised the concern in good faith.

2. What can be Reported

Whistleblowing means raising a concern about one or more of the following matters that the individual (or group) believes is either happening now, has taken place in the past or is likely to happen in the future. This is not an exhaustive list and only genuine concerns should be reported.

• Something that constitutes a criminal offence or breach of law;
• A failure to comply with a legal obligation;
• A danger to the health and safety of employees;
• Conduct which may damage the council's reputation;
• Information relating to a miscarriage of justice;
• Damage to the environment;
• Misuse of public funds;
• Fraud or corruption;
• Abuse of clients – e.g., Sexual or physical or financial abuse; or
• Other unethical conduct;
• Any attempt to cover up the above.

Concerns should be raised under Lewisham's Whistleblowing policy where the nature of the allegation means that it would not be appropriate to use those under other avenues of complaint for example where the allegation related to a more senior officer.

3. Whistleblowing in relation to Children's Services

Anyone can make a complaint under this policy, including councillors, employees and members of the public.

Staff working in children's services should refer to.

• Lewisham's Whistleblowing policy 2017;
• Ofsted whistleblowing guidance;
• NSPCC whistleblowing helpline.