We have a whistleblowing policy (attached to this page) which sets out how our staff, contractors, service users, and members of the public can raise concerns about potential council wrongdoing and issues they believe aren't right.
It makes sure that such matters are investigated properly.
This policy forms part of our wider arrangements to prevent fraud happening and identify it when it does. These arrangements are detailed within our Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Strategy.
Our commitments to you
We’re committed to treating all disclosures fairly and consistently, and to protecting those who raise concerns from victimisation or disadvantage.
We’re committed to protecting anyone who raises a genuine concern under the whistleblowing policy. If you report a concern in good faith and with reasonable belief that it is in the public interest, you are protected by law (the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998) from dismissal, victimisation, or any form of disadvantage because of your disclosure.
We will not tolerate any harassment or retaliation against whistleblowers and will take appropriate action against anyone who tries to intimidate or penalise those who speak up.
Why speaking up is important
In line with our Code of Conduct and the Nolan Principles of Public Life, all our staff and representatives are expected to act with honesty and integrity.
This means that if you witness behaviour or actions that appear to breach these standards, or if you observe any failure to maintain the expected level of conduct, it is not just encouraged but expected that you speak up.
Raising concerns helps to uphold our values, ensures accountability, and protects the public interest. By speaking out, you’re playing a vital role in maintaining a culture of openness and ethical conduct across our organisation.
We therefore encourage you to speak up if you think we, or other members of staff, might be doing something wrong.
You won’t get into trouble for raising a genuine concern, it is only by doing so that we can take action to investigate and address potential wrongdoing.
What concerns can be raised under whistleblowing
Concerns that can be raised under whistleblowing include suspected criminal offences (such as fraud, bribery, or corruption), failure to comply with legal obligations, miscarriages of justice, risks to health and safety, damage to the environment, or deliberate concealment of any of these matters.
Not every concern will fall under the whistleblowing policy. Before you make a referral, please consider whether your concern falls under one of the following alternative categories:
How to raise a concern
All concerns are treated in strict confidence, and you will receive legal protections under the policy.
Concerns can be raised by completing the online whistleblowing referral form:
Make a whistleblowing referral
You can submit your concerns anonymously, but including your contact details allows us to contact you with any queries and to provide you with updates. Your contact information will remain confidential and will not be shared with others.
If your concern is about the internal audit team then the concern should be emailed directly to our monitoring officer. Email: helen.barrington@derbyshire.gov.uk
How a concern will be dealt with
By completing the online whistleblowing referral form the details are examined and reviewed by internal audit and triaged in conjunction with our monitoring officer.
The appropriate course of action will be agreed; this may mean concerns are handled under a different policy (such as complaints or grievance etc.)
Depending on the nature of the concern, the matter could be passed on to other teams to investigate or it will be investigated by the internal audit team, but in all cases the identity of the whistleblower will not be shared.
The whistleblowing policy sets out that you will be kept informed of the progress and outcomes of the concern raised. This is only possible if you’ve shared your contact details with us.
Help and support
If you’re an employee further support is available throughout the process, with regular communication and access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
If you’re not an employee, appropriate support is provided throughout the process in accordance with your needs.
If you have any queries or are unsure whether your concern falls under the Whistleblowing Policy, you can contact our Confidential Reporting Hotline on telephone: 01629 533334 to discuss the matter in confidence, or email: cst.whistleblowing@derbyshire.gov.uk