Purpose
The whistleblowing procedure supports a culture of transparency, encouraging all carers, staff, and associated individuals to report serious concerns regarding malpractice, misconduct, or unsafe practices. At edyn.care, we commit to investigating these concerns confidentially and without repercussions for those raising issues in good faith.
Key Points
Protection for Whistleblowers: Anyone reporting concerns in good faith is protected from retaliation, ensuring a safe environment to report concerns.
Commitment to Compliance: This policy aligns with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and ensures all reports are addressed in line with this legislation.
Who It Covers: Applies to all employees, carers (including self-employed, zero-hours, fixed-contract), clients, and visitors to the edyn.care office.
How to Report a Concern
If you have serious concerns regarding misconduct or poor practices, please follow the steps below:
Report Directly: Contact the Registered Care Manager at sandra@edyn.care.
Confidential Handling: Reports will be treated with discretion, and where possible, the whistleblower’s identity will remain anonymous.
Investigation Process:
If initial inquiries confirm further investigation is needed, edyn.care will inform relevant parties and initiate a thorough investigation, possibly involving external bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or the police.
Serious cases may result in immediate suspension of the staff member or carer involved, with reassurance that suspension does not imply guilt.
A complete investigation will be conducted with interviews and gathering of evidence. All findings will lead to appropriate actions.
Outcomes:
Proven Allegations: Disciplinary actions, including summary dismissal, may follow proven misconduct.
Unfounded Allegations: The accused will return to their duties if allegations are unproven.
Malicious Allegations: Deliberately false claims may result in disciplinary action against the accuser.
Conviction: Convictions will be reported to the CQC and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Safeguarding Concerns: If the concern relates to safeguarding, edyn.care will consult the local safeguarding team for guidance before investigating.
Who Can Report
Whistleblowing concerns can be raised by:
Employees and carers (self-employed, zero-hours, fixed-contract)
Clients and their family members
External advocates or professionals representing service users
Board and committee members
Roles and Responsibilities
Management: Ensure all policies and procedures are up-to-date and legally compliant.
Staff and Carers: Adhere to this whistleblowing policy and report any serious concerns without delay.
FAQs
Q: Will I be protected if I report a concern?
Yes, anyone reporting a concern in good faith is protected from retaliation.
Q: Can I report concerns anonymously?
Yes, while it’s helpful to provide your details for investigation purposes, we will keep your identity confidential wherever possible.
Q: What kinds of issues should I report?
Report any serious concerns, such as professional malpractice, criminal activity, abuse, or any behaviour that puts clients at risk.
Q: What happens if my report turns out to be false?
If the concern was raised in good faith, there will be no repercussions. However, malicious or false claims may lead to disciplinary action.
Q: Who else will be informed of the investigation?
The CQC, police, or local safeguarding team may be informed depending on the nature of the allegation.
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