Whistleblowing & Speak Up Policy

What is a whistleblowing policy?

A whistleblowing policy tells staff how to raise a concern about wrongdoing, risk or poor care, what the service does next, and how the law protects them. Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, a worker who makes a "protected disclosure" has the right not to suffer bullying, blame or any other detriment for it.

Is a whistleblowing policy a legal requirement for care providers?

That legal protection applies whether you have a policy or not. For adult social care, though, the Care and Support Statutory Guidance says staff guidelines should cover whistleblowing and protection for whistleblowers, and CQC may ask to see your Freedom to Speak Up or whistleblowing policy.

Who it applies to

Employees, bank staff and managers, along with agency workers, students, trainees, volunteers and contractors. Former staff can use it to raise a concern about their time with the service. Personal complaints about pay or conditions go through your grievance procedure, unless the issue also puts people at risk.

What this whistleblowing policy template includes

The policy lists what staff can raise, from abuse and neglect to falsified records, misuse of people's money and a closed culture forming. It then gives a six-step route:

1. Your line manager or the manager on duty

2. The Speak Up lead

3. An independent contact, if the concern is about the Registered Manager

4. The local authority safeguarding team, for abuse or neglect

5. The police, if a crime may have happened

6. A prescribed person such as CQC

It also covers confidentiality, anonymous concerns, protection from detriment, and the outside bodies a worker can go to, with CQC's contact details. Acknowledgement and feedback times are set at 2 and 10 working days, and you can change both.

Name your Speak Up lead and an independent contact outside the management line before you issue it, and check the outside bodies against the government's current list of prescribed persons.

Abuse concerns raised this way follow your Safeguarding Policy & Procedure. For honesty with people after something goes wrong, see the Duty of Candour Policy & Procedure.