Hi, the ultimate responsibility is to know exactly what the setting's whistleblowing policy and procedure says so that everyone knows what to do when witnessing colleague's poor practice or behaviour. Ask for a copy of your setting's own policy & procedures.
If you search
inside this EYE handbook for the words 'whistle blowing' click to page 101 which has useful reading.
Quote:
The responsibilities of the early years practitioner in relation to whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is an important aspect of safeguarding, where staff, volunteers and students are encouraged to share genuine concerns about colleague's behaviour. The behaviour may not be child abuse but the colleague may not be following the code of conduct or could be pushing to boundaries beyond normal limits.
Whistleblowing is very different from a complaint or a grievance. The term 'whistleblowing' generally applies when you are acting as a witness to misconduct that you have seen and that threatens other people or children.
The Public Disclosure Act 1998, known as the Whistleblowing Act, is intended to protect the public interest by providing a remedy for individuals who suffer workplace reprisal for raising a genuine concern, whether it is a concern about safeguarding and welfare systems, financial malpractice, danger, illegality or other wrongdoing.
The statutory guidance from the DfE, Working Together to Safeguard Children, makes it clear that all organisations that provide services for, or work with, children must have appropriate whistleblowing procedures. They must also have a culture that enables concerns about safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children to be addressed by the organisation. The concern may relate to something that is happening now, that has happened in the past or that you think could happen in the future.
All staff, volunteers and students should be aware of, and follow their setting's whistleblowing policy and procedures.
The following is from
pages 121/2 of the older CYPW handbook you might find it reflects what your Nursery's policy states?
Reporting concerns about poor practice.
Whistle blowing
At some stage in your work with young children you may be faced with the problem of what to do about soomeone whose practice is unacceptable. You must not ignore poor practice - no matter who it is being carried out by. It can be very difficult to report someone you work with - or even your manager. If in doubt, just think about the effect of the poor practice or behaviour on the children in your care.
How to whistle blow:- think about exactly what is worrying you and why
- approach your supervisor, manager or safeguarding named person
- tell someone about your concerns as soon as you feel you can
- put your concerns in writing, outlining the background and history, giving names, dates and places where you can
- make sure something happens
Note that some organisations have confidential whistle blowing phone lines.
whistle blowing does take courage: there is a risk of being bullied or harrassed as a result. But anyone who whistle blows has the right to protection from the person they have raised concerns about. Your manager should provide you with support. If you lose your job or suffer as a result of a whistle blowing incident the UK Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 offers legal protection.
Best wishes xx
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