Whistleblowing Policy

Schedule 1

The Nolan Principles of Conduct Underpinning Public Life

1. Selflessness – Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity – Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity – Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability – Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness – Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty – Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership – Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Holders of public office are defined in law. They include local government Councillors, school governors and clerks to school governing bodies. They also include certain senior local government officers required to be appointed by law. 16

Schedule 2

List of other bodies to which a whistleblowing disclosure can be made

GO TO GOV.UK WEBSITE 

Schedule 3

Disclosure process

1) Disclosure received

2) Acknowledgement - no less than two working days

• Further information may be requested. Process may not continue until received.

3) Decision: Disclosure falls to be dealt with under this policy or another existing policy or procedure

No less than 5 working days after acknowledgement, or from receipt of further information.

If disclosure falls outside of this policy:

• Whistleblower will be advised and concerns will be directed to another policy or procedure as may be appropriate.

If disclosure falls under this policy:

• Investigator appointed at earliest opportunity.
• Whistleblower contacted and advised no less than 10 working days after appointment.
• Whistleblower will be kept updated on progress and advised on outcome of investigation as appropriate.