This policy was agreed by KLS Trustees on 3rd December 2014.
All KLS policies are reviewed every three years (or earlier if the law changes).
This policy will be reviewed again in September 2024.
Katherine Low Settlement is a charity that has been serving Battersea and the wider Wandsworth community since 1924. We are dedicated to building stronger communities and enable people to challenge and find ways out of poverty and isolation. We run a range of our own community projects to support older people, refugee communities and children, young people and families. In addition to these direct services, we also use our premises to act as a local hub for other charities and community groups so that as partners, we can meet the diverse needs of the communities of Wandsworth. Each week we work with 45+ charities and community groups supporting more than 1,100 people. Visit www.klsettlement.org.uk
Whistleblowing is when a worker reports suspected wrongdoing at work. If workers make a disclosure to their employers or a relevant organisation they are protected under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This is commonly known as ‘blowing the whistle’ or ‘making a disclosure’. The law that protects whistle-blowers is for the public interest so people can speak out if they find malpractice in an organisation.
It is important that every staff member of KLS acts in the best interest of the Charity and does not disclose any confidential information. Nevertheless, where an individual discovers information which they believe shows serious malpractice or wrongdoing within the organisation then this information should be disclosed internally without fear of reprisal. This Whistle Blowing policy sets out KLS approach.
To be covered by whistleblowing law, a worker who makes a disclosure must reasonably believe two things. The first is that they are acting ‘in the public interest’. This means in particular that personal grievances and complaints are not usually covered by whistleblowing law.
Secondly, a worker must reasonably believe is that the disclosure tends to show past, present or likely future wrongdoing falling into one or more of the following categories:
The word ‘whistleblowing’ in this Policy refers to the disclosure internally or externally by workers of malpractice, as well as illegal acts or omissions at work.
Katherine Low Settlement is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of service and the highest possible ethical standards in all that it does. It encourages staff to use internal mechanisms for reporting any malpractice or illegal acts or omissions by its employees or ex-employees. It should be emphasised that this policy is intended to assist individuals who believe they have discovered malpractice or impropriety. It is not designed to question financial or business decisions taken by the Charity nor should it be used to reconsider any matters which have already been addressed under harassment, complaint, disciplinary or other procedures. Once the ‘whistleblowing’ procedures are in place, it is reasonable to expect staff to use them rather than air their complaints outside the Charity.
Katherine Low Settlement has a range of policies and procedures, which deal with standards of behaviour at work. They cover Discipline, Grievance, Harassment and Recruitment and Selection. Staff are encouraged to use the provisions of these procedures when appropriate.
There may be times, however, when the matter is not about your personal employment position and needs to be handled in a different way. A ‘qualifying disclosure’ must be made by a worker to the appropriate person in KLS (see below). A qualifying disclosure means any disclosure of information that, in the belief of the worker, is made ‘in the public interest’.
Examples Include:
This list is not exhaustive. KLS will not tolerate any harassment or victimisation of a whistleblower (including informal pressures), and will treat this as a serious disciplinary offence, which will be dealt with under the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.
The investigation will be carried out in a sensitive manner but may need to be carried out under the terms of strict confidentiality i.e. by not informing the subject of the complaint until (or if) it becomes necessary to do so. This may be appropriate in cases of suspected fraud. In certain cases, however, such as allegations of ill treatment of members/users, suspension from work may have to be considered immediately. Protection of members/users is paramount in all cases. The identity of the individual making the allegation may be kept confidential so long as it does not hinder or frustrate any investigation. However, the investigation process may reveal the source of the information and the individual making the disclosure may need to provide a statement as part of the evidence required.
This policy encourages individuals to put their name to any disclosures they make. Concerns expressed anonymously are much less credible, but they may be considered at the discretion of the Charity. In exercising this discretion, the factors to be taken into account will include:
If an individual makes an allegation in good faith, which is not confirmed by subsequent investigation, no action will be taken against that individual. In making a disclosure the individual should exercise due care to ensure the accuracy of the information. If, however, an individual makes malicious or vexatious allegations, and particularly if he or she persists with making them, disciplinary action may be taken against that individual.
On receipt of a complaint of malpractice, the member of staff who receives and takes note of the complaint, must pass this information as soon as is reasonably possible, to the appropriate designated investigating officer:
If the result of the investigation is that there is a case to be answered by any individual, the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure will be used. If there is evidence of criminal activity, then the investigating officer should inform the Police. KLS will ensure that any internal investigation does not hinder a formal Police investigation.
Due to the varied nature of these sorts of complaints, which may involve internal investigators and / or the Police, it is not possible to lay down precise timescales for such investigations. The investigating officer should ensure that the investigations are undertaken as quickly as possible without affecting the quality and depth of those investigations. The investigating officer, should as soon as practically possible, send a written acknowledgement of the concern to the complainant and thereafter report back to them in writing the outcome of the investigation and on the action that is proposed. If the investigation is a prolonged one, the investigating officer should keep the complainant informed, in writing, as to the progress of the investigation and as to when it is likely to be concluded.
The investigating officer should follow these steps:
If the complainant is not satisfied that their concern is being properly dealt with by the investigating officer, they have the right to raise it in confidence with the Chief Executive / Chair of Trustees, or one of the designated persons described above.
If the investigation finds the allegations unsubstantiated and all internal procedures have been exhausted, but the complainant is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, KLS recognises the lawful rights of employees and ex-employees to make disclosures to prescribed persons (such as the Health and Safety Executive, the Audit Commission, or the utility regulators), or, where justified, elsewhere.
This policy and procedure has been written to take account of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which protects workers making disclosures about certain matters of concern, where those disclosures are made in accordance with the Act’s provisions. The Act is incorporated into the Employment Rights Act 1996, which also already protects employees who take action over, or raise concerns about, health and safety at work.