Raising a concern (including Whistleblowing) Policy

All Estyn colleagues should feel comfortable and safe to speak up if they come across something in the course of their work, past, present, or imminent, that they think is wrong, illegal or endangers others.

Raising a concern involves speaking up about suspected wrongdoing, risk or malpractice that affects a wider group of individuals such as work colleagues, the organisation, customers and the wider public.

A ‘concern’ may include (but is not limited to) something that would constitute a whistleblowing disclosure covered by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, an alleged breach of the Civil Service Code, or a disclosure which if not made through the appropriate channels would be a breach of the Official Secrets Act 1989.

We are committed to:

• ensuring everyone feels able to, and understands their responsibility to speak up
  when they have a concern
• ensuring that anyone who has a concern is aware of how to raise it
• listening to those who raise a concern, and treating them with respect
• handling concerns responsibly, professionally and in a positive manner
• ensuring those raising a concern are afforded protection as detailed in the
  procedure
• supporting those involved, by fully investigating their concerns and escalating as
  appropriate
• providing training for nominated officers on how to support staff
• giving a clear and consistent message from the top that it is a duty to stand up and
  anyone doing so in good faith will be protected from any retribution

Please note: Estyn is not a prescribed whistleblowing body. This means that we are unable to investigate any concerns you may have about a school, college or other educational body. If you have such a concern of this nature, you should contact the appropriate prescribed body from the government list.