Whistle blowing policy

Acre Wood Day Nursery is committed to maintaining a culture where it is safe and acceptable for all employees and users to raise concerns about poor or unacceptable service, civil offences (including negligence, Breach of Welfare Requirements

This policy is designed to assist those whom may have a concern with our nursery have come to a decision to express a concern after a great deal of thought depending of the gravity and seriousness of that concern.

The Manager operates an open door policy for all staff to enable them to express concerns at any time. Staff will be encouraged to discuss any concerns they have at staff meetings, team meetings, appraisals, etc.

Staff must acknowledge their individual responsibilities to bring matters of concern to the attention of senior management and/or relevant agencies. This is particularly important where the welfare of children may be at risk. You may be the first to recognise that something is wrong but may not feel able to express your concerns out of a feeling that this would be disloyal to colleagues or you may fear harassment or victimisation or feel that this may affect your job, Acre Wood Day Nursery reassures you that under no circumstances will raising a concern effect you as a member of the nursery team or an individual using or visiting our service.

These feelings, however natural must never result in a child or young person continuing to at risk. Remember it is often the most vulnerable children or young people, who are targeted. These children need someone like you to safeguard their welfare.

If a matter arises in the Nursery that an individual (this could be a member of staff, management, visitor, outside agency or student, thinks that another member of staff) has acted in a way that has been a breach of their professional conduct, it is that individual's duty to report the matter immediately to the management or Ofsted if the concern is of the nursery management.

All concerns will be treated with confidence and every effort will be made not to reveal a staff member's identity. However, while making all reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the matter as a whole, at a certain stage in the investigation it will be necessary to make the origin of the complaint known to the person or persons the allegations concern.

This Policy makes it clear that staff can speak up without fear of harassment, victimisation (including informal pressure), discrimination or disadvantage. Any investigation into allegations of potential malpractice will not influence or be influenced by any disciplinary or other procedures that already affect the member of staff. There will be no 'come back' if a member of staff reasonably believes that they have made a disclosure in good faith.

The legislative framework - incl. Childcare act 1989 & 2004

Safeguarding vulnerable groups Act 2006

Childcare Act 2006

Data Protection Act 1998

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013