1. What is whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the act of reporting a concern about wrongdoing, malpractice, or illegal activity within an organisation.

This is different from a personal grievance, which should be raised through the Complaints Policy.

2. What concerns can be raised?

Concerns that may be raised under this policy include: financial fraud or mismanagement, criminal activity, failure to comply with legal obligations, endangering the health or safety of any individual, damage to the environment, or a cover-up of any of the above.

You do not need to have proof — a reasonable suspicion is sufficient to raise a concern.

3. How to raise a concern

In the first instance, raise your concern with your line manager or the Chief Executive.

If your concern involves the Chief Executive, or you feel unable to raise it internally, contact the Chair of the Board of Trustees directly.

You may also contact the Charity Commission, the Health and Safety Executive, or another relevant regulatory body.

Concerns can be raised verbally or in writing. You may raise a concern anonymously, although this may limit our ability to investigate fully.

4. Protection for whistleblowers

The Healing Hubs will not tolerate any retaliation against a person who raises a concern in good faith.

Anyone who victimises or intimidates a whistleblower will face disciplinary action.

If you raise a concern in good faith but it turns out to be unfounded, you will not face any negative consequences.

5. Confidentiality

We will do our best to keep your identity confidential if you ask us to. However, it may not always be possible to investigate a concern fully without revealing your identity.

If this is the case, we will discuss this with you before proceeding.

6. External reporting

If you do not feel able to raise a concern internally, you can contact Protect (formerly Public Concern at Work), the UK's whistleblowing charity, for free, confidential advice at protect-advice.org.uk.