Action for Carers Whistleblowing Policy
Guidance for ACS staff, trustees, and volunteers
You can read the full policy here: Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure 2025
Action for Carers (Surrey) is committed to conducting its operations in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, and fully support the Nolan principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
This Whistleblowing Policy (which also covers Public Interest Disclosure) provides a framework for staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders to raise concerns about alleged malpractice or wrongdoing within the charity without fear of reprisal.
If you have concerns about behaviours or an incident you have observed as part of your work in other settings e.g. a school, hospital or care home this should be raised directly with a member of senior management who will advise on the appropriate course of action.
In an emergency or where someone is at risk of serious injury or harm you should always call 999.
Scope of Policy
This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, contractors, trustees, and stakeholders associated with Action for Carers (Surrey).
Responsibilities
- Board of Trustees: responsible for ensuring that there is a robust whistleblowing policy in place that gives staff and volunteers the opportunity to raise and escalate concerns about the way in which the organisation operates.
- CEO: is responsible for ensuring the policy is implemented and developing a culture where staff feel confident to raise concerns.
- COO: is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the whistleblower and the investigation process.
- Managers / Team leaders: responsible for cascading the policy to their teams and ensuring there is a good understanding of how to report concerns.
- Staff and Volunteers: responsible for maintaining own awareness of the policy, raising concerns and maintaining the confidentiality of any process they are involved in.
Definition of Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is the act of reporting concerns about alleged malpractice or wrongdoing that may include, but is not limited to:
- Criminal activities
- Breach of legal obligations
- Miscarriages of justice
- Endangerment of health and safety
- Failings in safeguarding practices
- Damage to the environment
- Deliberate concealment of information relating to any of the above
It will not always be clear that a particular action falls within one of the categories and individuals should use common sense to decide if they think something isn’t right. ACS would prefer a concern is reported rather than not.
Safeguards
We want our staff to feel safeguarded and protected in raising any concerns, where this is done so in good faith and where the whistleblower reasonably believes that the information disclosed, and any allegation contained in it are substantially true.
All concerns raised will be treated in confidence and every effort will be made to protect the identity of the whistleblower. If the process cannot be concluded without the identify being disclosed this will always be discussed beforehand. Whistleblowers may choose to raise concerns anonymously, though this may limit the ability to investigate the issue fully, or to update on the outcome of any investigation.
Action for Carers (Surrey) will not tolerate any form of retaliation, harassment, or victimisation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.
Reporting Concerns
Concerns should be raised as soon as possible with the designated Whistleblowing Officer, who is the Chief Operating Officer, or in his / her absence the Chief Executive.
If the concern involves the Whistleblowing Officer, it should be reported to the Chief Executive, or in his / her absence the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
If the concern involves the Chief Executive, or a trustee, it should be reported to the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
If the concern involves the Chair then it should be reported to the Chief Executive who will seek independent external advice and support.
The investigation will follow the procedure outline in Appendix A.
If the allegations suggest a potential criminal offence has occurred the Whistleblowing Officer will contact appropriate authorities e.g. police or social services to ensure anyone at risk of harm is safeguarded, and to ensure there is no risk of compromising a criminal investigation.
External Reporting
We would encourage you to raise a concern using our internal processes in the first instance. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of an investigation, or in exceptional circumstances you feel it more appropriate to report your concern directly to an external body, you have three options:
Contact our auditors Sayer Vincent 020 7841 6360 or email [email protected]
Contact the relevant regulatory body e.g. Health and Safety Executive, Charity Commission or other relevant organisation. See Appendix B for further information.
If you are unsure of how to proceed and want to seek free, confidential advice you can contact Protect, a charity established to support and advise potential whistleblowers https://protectadvice.org.uk/ or call: 020 3117 2520
Review of Policy
The Whistleblowing Policy will be reviewed every 3 years to ensure it remains effective and compliant with relevant laws and regulations.
Read the full policy
Read the full policy here: Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure 2025