Whistle blowing policy
The Penlee Cluster Whistleblowing PolicyThe Penlee Cluster comprises the churches of St Mary’s Penzance, St John’s Penzance, St Peter’s Newlyn and St Pol de Leon Paul. The Penlee Cluster is committed to upholding the highest possible standards of integrity and recognises that clergy, lay staff, volunteers and parishioners are often the first to become aware of, or identify, serious concerns. When such concerns arise, barriers to coming forward could exist in relation to misplaced loyalty to colleagues or the Church, or fear of harassment or victimisation. The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (the ‘Act’) protects workers who raise concerns from victimisation or harassment, where there is a public interest in so doing. In accordance with the Act, the Cluster welcomes all its stakeholders who have serious concerns about any aspect of the Cluster’s work to come forward and voice those concerns, in confidence. The Cluster relies heavily upon the contribution of volunteers and recognise that they are in an important position to recognise and report concerns. While voluntary roles are not included within the scope of the Act, The Cluster encourages volunteers to use this process with the relevant principles of protection applied to them wherever possible. This policy is in place to ensure that an internal process is available to encourage and enable workers and volunteers to raise serious concerns which would not meet the criteria for a complaint in confidence and without fear of reprisals, to ensure that the Cluster continues to provide the highest standards of integrity and accountability. PrinciplesThis policy is based on the following fundamental principles:
How to raise a concernThe Cluster recognises the difficulties in raising a concern about the behaviour of another individual. However, raising the concern at an early stage may protect others, prevent the problem getting worse, and prevent individuals themselves becoming implicated Office holders, lay staff, volunteers and parishioners are encouraged to raise concerns in cases where: the law may have been broken cluster policies and procedures may have been breached Special Note: SafeguardingThe Cluster is committed to safeguarding the welfare and protection of children and adults at risk of harm. Concerns about the welfare of children and adults at risk of harm must be raised without delay to prevent any ongoing risk of harm. The whistleblowing policy would not normally be used for raising safeguarding concerns. Anybody with a safeguarding concern should in the first instance speak to their incumbent, or Cluster safeguarding officer. Other whistleblowing concernsOffice holders, lay staff, volunteers and parishioners* should raise concerns initially with their incumbent, line manager, volunteer co-ordinator or Cluster Safeguarding Officer. Of course, this is dependent upon the nature of the concerns and who might be involved. All the above* can call, write or arrange to meet with the relevant person. In the case of a meeting, the individual raising the concern may wish to invite a supporter. Written concerns should:
What could happen?This will be dependent upon the nature of the concern. The matter may be:
Anonymous AllegationsThe Cluster encourages staff, office holders, volunteers and parishioners to identify themselves when reporting a concern. However any anonymous concerns will be investigated as far as reasonably possible based upon the information provided. Please note it may not be possible to give feedback if information is passed on anonymously. For Further Assistance and/or advice please speak to one of the Cluster Safeguarding Officers.
April 2018, subject to annual review.
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