Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing
At Caring Hands Nursery, we expect all colleagues, whether internal or external, to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and place the welfare, safety, and wellbeing of every child at the heart of everything they do.
While we strive to provide a safe and supportive environment at all times, we understand that situations may occasionally arise where concerns need to be raised. To address this, we have established a clear whistleblowing procedure that enables staff to report information suggesting a child’s welfare or safety may be at risk.
Should any concern arise, team members are encouraged to discuss it with their Nursery Manager or Line Manager as soon as possible. Early reporting helps ensure issues are investigated promptly, appropriate action is taken, and the best interests of children remain fully protected.
Legal framework
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA), commonly known as the Whistleblowing Act, amended the Employment Rights Act 1996 to protect employees who raise genuine concerns about wrongdoing, misconduct, or risks within an organisation. These reports are known as qualifying disclosures.
Importantly, the legislation encourages individuals to speak up when they believe that illegal, unethical, or unsafe practices may be taking place. As a result, employees can report concerns without fear of unfair treatment or retaliation, provided they act in good faith and follow the appropriate procedures.
Furthermore, on 25 June 2013, the government introduced several amendments to clarify and strengthen the requirements for a qualifying disclosure. These changes helped ensure that whistleblowing protections remain focused on matters that are genuinely in the public interest.