Introduction

This policy aims to:

• Encourage individuals affected to report suspected wrongdoing as soon as possible in the knowledge that their concerns will be taken seriously and investigated, and that their confidentiality will be respected
• Let all staff in the trust know how to raise concerns about potential wrongdoing in or by the trust • Set clear procedures for how the trust will respond to such concerns
• Let all staff know the protection available to them if they raise a whistle-blowing concern
• Assure staff that they will not be victimised for raising a legitimate concern through the steps set out in the policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken (though vexatious or malicious concerns may be considered a disciplinary issue)

This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and may be amended at any time.

The policy applies to all employees or other workers who provide services to the trust in any capacity, including self-employed consultants or contractors who provide services on a personal basis and agency workers.

Key Document Information

• Owner: Company Secretary
• Last Review Date: September 2025
• Next Review Date: 2028