Whistleblowing

At Be. Independent Day Nursery, we are committed to creating a safe environment for children and staff. This Whistleblowing Policy encourages staff, parents, and volunteers to report concerns about wrongdoing or malpractice. We will ensure that all concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly and appropriately.


1. Purpose


  • To provide a clear framework for reporting concerns about illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.
  • To protect individuals who raise concerns from victimization or harassment.
  • To promote a culture of openness and accountability within the nursery.


2. Legal Framework


This policy is guided by the following legislation and guidelines:


  • Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
  • Employment Rights Act 1996
  • The Children Act 1989 and 2004
  • The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2023


3. Who Can Whistleblow?


This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, parents, and anyone associated with Be. It encourages anyone who has concerns to come forward, regardless of their relationship with the nursery.


4. Types of Concerns


Concerns may relate to:

  • Child abuse or neglect
  • Breaches of health and safety regulations
  • Criminal activities
  • Inappropriate behaviour or misconduct by staff
  • Fraud or financial malpractice
  • Any other serious wrongdoing


Be. Independent Day Nursery – Policies for Website, updated October 2024


5. How to Raise a Concern


5.1 Internal Reporting:

  • Concerns should initially be reported to the Nursery Manager or a designated safeguarding lead. If the concern involves the Nursery Manager, it should be reported to the Nursery Owner, Amy Ransom.


5.2 Confidentiality:

  • All concerns will be treated confidentially. The identity of the whistleblower will be protected as far as possible.


5.3 Written Reporting:

  • It is encouraged to submit concerns in writing, outlining the details of the issue, any evidence available, and the impact of the wrongdoing.


6. Response to Concerns


  • The Nursery Manager will investigate all reported concerns promptly. An initial acknowledgment will be provided within 3 working days.


  • An investigation may involve interviews and gathering relevant evidence. The whistleblower will be kept informed of progress and the outcome of the investigation.


7. Protection for Whistleblowers


  •  Be. Independent Day Nursery will not tolerate any form of retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. Any acts of victimization will be taken seriously and addressed accordingly.
  • Whistleblowers are protected by law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.


8. External Reporting


If individuals feel that their concerns are not being addressed internally, they can report them to external agencies:


  • Kent County Council (KCC) Safeguarding Team:



  • Ofsted:



9. Monitoring and Review


Be. Independent Day Nursery – Policies for Website, updated October 2024


  • This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if necessary to ensure compliance with current legislation and best practices.
  • Records of reported concerns and their outcomes will be maintained confidentially.


Conclusion



At Be, we believe that creating a culture of transparency is essential to safeguarding children and ensuring the integrity of our nursery. This Whistleblowing Policy provides a framework for reporting and addressing concerns appropriately.