Cup core 3.3 safeguarding children and young people
 

Hi can any one help I need some help on a question. How does the whistle blowing policy protect a practitioner who discloses concerns about potential harm or abuse towards children and young people? I will be very grateful if someone could help thanks

Hi, welcome to the site. A policy dedicated to whistle-blowing means everyone can be made aware of the setting's position, how it means to comply with the law and protect all parties involved.

You'll need to ask your workplace for a copy of their safeguarding policy, whistle blowing or complaints procedures depending which one explains what to do about reporting concerns of poor practice, then you'll be able to refer to it for this criteria.

If you work in England page 16 of the EYFS states 'The safeguarding policy and procedures must include an explanation of the action to be taken when there are safeguarding concerns about a child and in the event of an allegation being made against a member of staff, and cover the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting.'

The policy should contain how the rights of the accused will be protected as well as the whistle blower eg. confidentiality maintained and the process of a fair investigation so that the risk of stigmatisation and victimisation is minimised.

Whistle blowing on ACAS

To help understand what might constitute poor practice, good practices are looked at on page 120 of the heinemann handbook explains how practitioners are expected to work in open and transparent ways, listen to children, understand power, trust and physical contact. Any behaviour that contradicts this could be considered undesirable or poor practice.

UK public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 information

Public Concern at Work website

Reporting concerns to Ofsted and the poster that can be displayed

Hope this helps, best wishes