Whistle Blowing

It is a fundamental responsibility of all those who work with children to do all they can to protect them from harm.  At St Paulinus Preschool we actively encourage staff to take every step available to them to ensure children are safe and protected from maltreatment or abuse from any person they encounter, without fear of reprisals or retribution.

 

St Paulinus Preschool will not tolerate any harassment or victimisation (including informal pressures) and will take appropriate action to protect those who raise a concern in good faith, and ensure they will not suffer any personal detriment because of raising any genuine concern about misconduct or malpractice within the setting.

 

In the first instance any concern should be raised, in writing, with the settings’ Designated Safeguarding Officer, Gemma O’Mara.  Should the concern involve a member of staff the matter will be handed over to the LADO for investigation, and Ofsted for information.  If it involves others outside of the setting, then the MASH team will be contacted and advice sought of the next step to take.  Alternately, the member of staff can raise issues about other staff members, the manager or directors with the manager, or the directors, Lindsey Henderson, in her capacity as director, or James Henderson.  If, for any reason, the staff member does not wish to approach any of the above, they must contact the LADO by completing a referral form downloaded from the Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D website, https://bexleysafeguardingpartnership.co.uk/for-professionals/local-authority-designated-officer/ or Ofsted at whistleblowing@ofsted.gov.uk or by phone on 0300 123 1231.

 

If the staff member does not wish to inform the DSO, manager, or directors regarding safeguarding concerns about the treatment of children by a person, or people, outside of the setting they should raise the issue with the MASH team, on 020 3045 5440.

 

This policy is underpinned by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which encourages people to raise concerns about misconduct or malpractice in the workplace, to promote good governance and accountability in the public interest. The act covers behaviour that amounts to:-

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• A criminal offence

• Failure to comply with any legal obligation

• A miscarriage of justice

• Danger to health and safety of an individual and/or environment

• Bullying, humiliation, discrimination, poor practice, unsafe practice, abuse or neglect

• Deliberate concealment of information about any of the above

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Last Review:- September 2025

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