{"alias":"contentPage","byline":null,"standfirst":null,"content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003EWhistleblowing is about raising genuine concerns in the public interest, for the greater good of our people, organisation and even wider society.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EImportantly, you should feel you\u2019re able to do this without fear of punishment or legal consequences.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, the issues you report should only be things that aren\u2019t covered by \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/\u0022 title=\u0022Policy\u0022\u003Eour other policies or procedures\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s about reporting things we feel are very wrong to prevent very serious situations getting any worse. By reporting these very serious things, action can be taken to prevent further harm.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt means changes can be made that can benefit and protect everyone.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEvery volunteer has the right to do this. We promise to protect you if you choose to come forward.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll be treated fairly, with dignity and respect.\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":true,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019re all in Scouts to help young people gain skills for life. We\u2019re lucky to have a team of committed volunteers that make that possible.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile there are occasionally disagreements, and things that go wrong, our values, policies and line managers are there to guide us along the way and help us resolve these.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHowever there are occasions when we feel there is something deeply wrong and don\u2019t know where to turn to report it.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThis could be when we suspect criminal activity, a danger to health and safety or financial mismanagement for example.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why do we need a whistleblowing policy?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EA whistleblower can be a volunteer in Scouting who raises a genuine concern about suspected wrongdoing, malpractice or dangers in the public interest.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Who is a whistleblower?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWhistleblowing is the disclosure of information which relates to suspected wrongdoing, malpractice or dangers which falls outside the scope of other policies and procedures.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou may have serious concerns and strongly believe:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Col\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESomeone has committed a criminal offence, such as fraud. Equally, you should speak to us if you think a criminal office is being committed or is likely to be committed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESomeone\u2019s health and safety has been, is being or is likely to be put at risk.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThere is damage to environment, or that this is likely to happen.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA miscarriage of justice has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA person has failed, is failing or is likely to fail to comply with their legal obligations.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EInformation about any of these serious matters is being deliberately concealed.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ol\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou might feel that you can\u2019t speak to line managers or volunteers because they\u2019re involved in some way, or because you\u2019re fearful about what might happen if you do raise it as a concern. Will I lose my role? Will I face legal consequences?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhen we hear from you, we\u2019ll quickly assess your report. We\u2019ll then pass it to the relevant team to respond.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EPlease note that we might decide, at this stage, that your report falls within the scope one of our other policies such as\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/safeguarding-policy-and-procedures/\u0022 title=\u0022Safeguarding Policy and Procedures\u0022\u003Esafeguarding\u003C/a\u003E. In this case, it will be dealt with in the normal way and not treated as whistleblowing. \u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What is whistleblowing?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s not about:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMaking a complaint about a person because of the way you\u2019ve been treated. You should use \u003Ca href=\u0022/contact-us/raising-a-concern/making-a-complaint-about-scouting/\u0022 title=\u0022Making a complaint about Scouting\u0022\u003Ethe complaints process\u003C/a\u003E for this instead.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETrying to go round a different way to get a different outcome.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EReporting something because you don\u2019t like or agree with it.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ERepeating gossip or making dishonest allegations.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s very specifically about raising a concern in the public interest about something that could harm people, or Scouts locally or nationally.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What is not whistleblowing?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve updated the policy to:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake it clearer about the difference between making a complaint and reporting wrongdoing, malpractice or danger.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake it easier to report these serious issues.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGive you more peace of mind about how you will be protected and looked after if you report something.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWe\u2019ve also updated the policy because we realised that many of the things being reported were complaints or issues that could be resolved by following our policies and procedures, or working with line managers.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ERemember, our \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/safeguarding-policy-and-procedures/\u0022 title=\u0022Safeguarding Policy and Procedures\u0022\u003ESafeguarding\u003C/a\u003E, \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/scouts-complaints-policy/\u0022 title=\u0022Scouts\u0027 Complaints Policy\u0022\u003EComplaints\u003C/a\u003E, and \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/anti-bullying-and-harassment-policy/\u0022 title=\u0022Volunteer Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy \u0026amp; Procedures\u0022\u003EVolunteer Anti-bullying and Harassment\u003C/a\u003E policies will often help resolve issues.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Why have we updated the Whistleblowing Policy?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EWithin five working days:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe\u2019ll let you know we\u2019ve got your submission. We may contact you to get some more details and make enquiries.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe\u2019ll record your report in the Whistleblowing Register held at UK Headquarters.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe\u2019ll collect all the information documents and statements you\u2019ve given us.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe\u2019ll carry out an initial assessment and we\u2019ll let you know if your submission will be treated as whistleblowing or managed under a different policy such as safeguarding.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf we\u2019ve confirmed your submission is being treated as whistleblowing and you\u2019ve asked to remain anonymous, the Deputy UK Chief Commissioner will decide whether this will be agreed. Please note that if anonymity is agreed, this may limit the scope of the investigation.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWe\u2019ll carry out an initial assessment to see whether the matter should be investigated and to determine the scope. We\u2019ll use the criteria in \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/whistleblowing/whistleblowing-policy-and-procedures/#\u0022 title=\u0022Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures\u0022 data-anchor=\u0022#\u0022\u003Ethe Whistleblowing Policy\u003C/a\u003E, Charity Commission and other regulatory guidance to make this decision.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAn impartial investigator may be appointed by the Deputy UK Chief Commissioner, depending on the outcome of the initial assessment. They would investigate the matter following the procedures below.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf needed, we\u2019ll also refer the report to external agencies.\u00A0\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EUsually within 10 working days, we\u2019ll provide you with the following information:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe outcome of the initial assessment.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhether the matter will be investigated and, if so, the name of the investigator.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhether matter will not be investigated.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAn update on what action, if any is being taken and why.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWho will be your main contact.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHow long we think it will take to investigate the matter.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHow we\u2019ll support and protect you.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"What will happen if I raise a concern?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf the team decides the matter won\u2019t be investigated, and you\u2019re not satisfied with this, you can request the decision is reviewed.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou\u2019ll need to make a request for a review in writing within 10 days of being notified of the outcome of the initial assessment.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEqually, if the matter has been investigated and you are not happy with the outcome you can request a review. You\u2019ll need to make a request for a review in writing within 10 days of being notified of the outcome.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThe Deputy UK Chief Commissioner and the Scouts Governance Team will conduct this review and confirm the outcome. Any decision is final.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","label":"What happens if I\u0027m not happy with the outcome?"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIf you are looking to submit a whistleblowing disclosure, please follow \u003Ca href=\u0022/about-us/policy/whistleblowing/whistleblowing-policy-and-procedures/\u0022 title=\u0022Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures\u0022\u003EThe Scouts Volunteer Whistleblowing Policy\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"How do I raise a whistleblowing concern?"}]},{"gridType":"callToAction","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","buttonText":"Read the full Whistleblowing policy","buttonLink":{"name":"Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures","id":null,"url":"/about-us/policy/whistleblowing/whistleblowing-policy-and-procedures/","newWindow":false,"target":null},"colour":{"value":"002f6c","label":"002f6c"},"alignment":"full width"}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":"","pageType":null,"location":null,"browserTitle":"","versionDate":"21 December 2023","reviewDate":"01/01/0001","redirectUrl":"","id":78311,"nodeName":"Whistleblowing","title":"Whistleblowing","type":"contentPage","image":null,"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"Whistleblowing \u2013 doing the right thing for the greater good","headerSubTitle":"Whistleblowing is about feeling confident enough to tell someone independent and trustworthy about suspected wrongdoing, malpractice or dangers. ","headerCta":"","headerCtaText":"","headerCtaLink":"","headerBackgroundColour":"002f6c","showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures","url":"/about-us/policy/whistleblowing/whistleblowing-policy-and-procedures/","newWindow":false}]},"subHeader":"","silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC83ODMxMSJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/about-us/policy/whistleblowing/"}