Whistle Blowing Policy

1. What Is Whistleblowing?
If you have concerns about something unethical that is happening at work, it can be difficult to know what to do. Whistleblowing encourages and enables employees to raise serious concerns within an organisation, rather than overlooking a problem or ‘blowing the whistle’ outside.

Employees are often the first to realise that there is something seriously wrong within the organisation. However, they may not express their concerns if they feel that speaking up would be disloyal or out of fear that they could be victimised. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects employees who ‘blow the whistle’ on malpractices within their organisation.

2. Our Commitments
Inclusive Bytes is committed to being open, honest and accountable. We encourage free and open communication between the Directors, staff and volunteers. We expect and encourage all staff and volunteers who have serious concerns about anything that is happening to come forward and raise those concerns.

This policy aims to help staff and volunteers to raise any serious concerns they may have about colleagues or about the organisation with confidence and without having to worry about being victimised, discriminated against or disadvantaged in any way as a result. Inclusive Bytes will treat any disclosures in a sensitive manner.

The policy applies to all staff, volunteers and contractors working for the organisation.

3. What Type of Concerns are Covered?
criminal offences
failure to comply with any legal obligation
failure in the protection of children or vulnerable adults
miscarriages of justice
health and safety risks to an individual
damage to the environment
the unauthorised use of public funds
possible fraud and corruption
concealment of any of the above
other unethical conduct
4. Safeguards
We recognise that the decision to report a concern can be a difficult one to make. It is not necessary for the person who raises a concern to prove the wrongdoing that is alleged to have occurred (or is likely to occur). However, if anyone knowingly or maliciously makes an untrue allegation, Inclusive Bytes will take appropriate disciplinary action against them.

If what you are saying is true, you should have nothing to worry about and Inclusive Bytes will protect all staff and volunteers who raise a concern in good faith.

Please note that you:

must disclose the information in good faith
must believe it to be substantially true
must not act maliciously or make false allegations
must not seek any personal gain
5. Confidentiality
All concerns will be treated in confidence and every effort will be made not to reveal your identity if you don’t want us to. If the concern cannot be resolved without revealing your identity, the Designated Whistleblowing Person will ask you whether and how you want to proceed. Concerns raised anonymously tend to be less effective so we would encourage you to put your name to your concern whenever possible. If required, you may need to come forward as a witness.

6. How To Raise Your Concern
If you have a serious or sensitive concern you can report it directly to the Designated Whistleblowing Person. The Designated Whistleblowing Person for Inclusive Bytes is Caroline Ward, who is one of our Directors. You can contact her via email at [email protected], or by phone on 07736 283639 (see section 8, Contact Details).

If the matter concerns the Designated Whistleblowing Person, or if she is not available, it should be raised with one of the other Directors.

Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing, setting out the background and history (giving names, dates and places where possible) and indicating the reasons for your concern. The Designated Whistleblowing Person will ask you for full details and clarification and they will then decide whether further action is appropriate and, if so, what form it should take.

How the concern will be dealt with will depend on what it involves. It is likely that further enquiries and an investigation will be necessary. The concern may be investigated by the Designated Whistleblowing Person, the Directors, or it may be referred to the police, other agencies such as Social Services, an external auditor or an independent investigator. It may be necessary for you to give evidence in criminal or disciplinary proceedings.

If your suspicions are not confirmed by an investigation, the matter will be closed. You will not be treated or regarded any differently for raising the concern, and your confidentiality will continue to be protected.

The Designated Whistleblowing Person will let you know what they have decided to do. If you are not satisfied with the response or the outcome, you can appeal to the Board of Directors, who will review the situation.

7. Independent Advice
If you are unsure whether to use this procedure or if you want independent advice at any stage, you can contact the following organisations for free confidential advice:

Citizens Advice
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Adviceline: 0800 144 8848

Public Concern at Work
www.pcaw.co.uk
Helpline: 020 7404 6609

8. Contact Details
The Designated Whistleblowing Person for Inclusive Bytes is Caroline Ward.