04-07-2012, 01:55 PM
Whistleblowing
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Introduction
The aim of this Practice Guide is to disseminate information and insight gained during
the process of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ Review of the operation of
representations and complaints procedures, whistleblowing procedures and
arrangements for the provision of children’s advocacy services in local authority social
services throughout Wales. It also identifies practice, documents and procedures from
local authorities which, we believe, it would be helpful to share.
The report on the review - Telling Concerns - was published in February 2003 and
contained 15 recommendations about whistleblowing which, when implemented, will
increase significantly the protection offered to children and young people by enabling
and supporting employees to raise concerns of malpractice.
Whistleblowing – a case study
Dai is a child living in a local authority residential unit. His home authority
placed him there 6 months ago.
One evening Dai was coming back from school a bit late. He was passing the
rear entrance to the kitchen when he noticed Mr Blake, the manager of the
home, loading a large package of frozen meat into the boot of his car.
“Feeling a bit peckish, Mr Blake?”, and instantly regretted it when he saw the
look of fury on Mr Blake’s face.
“You tell anyone about this and I will make your life a misery!” said Mr Blake.
Over the next few days, he felt that Mr Blake was picking on him in a way that
had not happened before. Dai was sure that he had caught Mr Blake stealing
meat from the kitchen but, of course, could not prove it. He wondered
whether he should contact the Complaints Officer and make a complaint but
this wasn’t something to do with his own care and wasn’t really a complaint.
What would reassure Mrs Cooke?
Mrs Cooke’s dilemma is not unusual. The Waterhouse report noted many instances of
support staff with information about abuse who didn’t know where to go to report it.
Information about whistleblowing often is not imparted to all employees who are in dayto-
day contact with children and young people.
Where services are contracted out, the contracting companies often have no
whistleblowing policy. Mrs Cooke’s concerns are well founded.