External Whistleblowing Policy

Statement

Dynamic Training is committed to conducting its business with honesty and integrity at all times. If, at any time, this commitment is not respected or appears to be in question, Dynamic Training will endeavour to identify and remedy such situations. Therefore, it is the company’s policy to ensure that when a person has reasonable grounds to believe that an employee, manager or any other person related to the company has committed, or is about to commit, an offence that could harm the company’s business or reputation, it denounces the wrongdoers in questions.

Purpose

The purpose of this whistleblowing policy is to encourage current and former employees, contractual third parties and learners to communicate events that raise serious concerns about Dynamic Training. Dynamic Training encourages and will support staff who report illegal practice or individuals who violate the organisations policies.

This policy applies to all employees of Dynamic Training, as well as contractual third parties or partners doing business with the company. The Public Interest Disclosure Act (1999) gives legal protection to employees against being dismissed or penalised by their employers as a result of publicly disclosing certain serious concerns.

This policy sets out Dynamic Trainings approach to whistleblowing and the procedure which should be followed when a concern has been raised to Dynamic Training.

The policy provides a framework for those wishing to make a disclosure about malpractice or other wrongdoing in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, if the disclosure is made in good faith and believed to be true.

Scope

The External Whistleblowing Policy and Procedures applies to all Dynamic Trainings clients – Learners (or their Parents or Guardians).

The Whistleblowing Policy does NOT apply to:

• Awarding Organisations, staff or associates, for whom a separate, internal policy is available
• Complaints about Dynamic Training UK Ltd qualifications or service for which the Complaints Policy Procedure should be referred to
• Appeals against assessment decisions for which the Appeals Policy and Procedures should be referred to

Definition of Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing is a term used when an individual discloses information relating to malpractice, maladministration, wrongdoing, bad practice, corruption and / or covering any of these up.

Disclosures might relate to:

• A criminal act such as fraud or bribery
• Failure to comply with agreements
• Action leading to an illegal financial gain
• Observation of an irregularity in assessment
• Failure to address Health and Safety Issues

Responsibility of Dynamic Training

It is the responsibility of Dynamic Training and its staff to:

• Maintain high standards of ethical, moral and legal business conduct
• Ensure team members are aware and understand this policy and procedures

• Ensure team members comply with this policy

Confidentiality, Anonymity of Whistleblowers

Any disclosure you make under this Policy will be treated as far as reasonably practicable in a confidential and sensitive manner. If confidentiality is not reasonably practicable, for instance, because of the nature of the information,    this  will        be      explained   to     you.

As part of this policy Dynamic Training will:

• Maintain the confidentiality of Information relating to all parties involved in a disclosure
• Normally not act on anonymous Although may try to confirm any allegations made
• Strive to keep a whistleblowers identity confidential but may need to disclose to other agencies such as the Police, Fraud Prevention agencies, the courts or regulators
• Not reveal a whistleblowers identity unless the whistleblower agrees
• Investigate a concern after it has been raised, even if the disclosure has been withdrawn

Untrue Allegations

If an individual makes an allegation in good faith, which is not confirmed by subsequent investigation, no action will be taken against that individual. In making a disclosure the

individual should exercise due care to ensure the accuracy of the information. If, however, an individual makes malicious or vexatious allegations, and particularly if he or she persists with making them, disciplinary action may be taken against that individual.

Raising a Concern with Dynamic Training

Individuals wishing to raise a concern should complete a Whistleblower Report form (See Appendix 1) which should be sent to the Head of Apprenticeships and Commercial either via email: oliver.hill@dynamictraining.org.uk or via post to Dynamic Training, Unit 7, Brook Business Centre, Cowley Mill Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2FX.

Dissatisfaction with the Outcome of the Process

If for any reason the complainant remains dissatisfied with Dynamic Trainings response the situation can be escalated further by contacting the relevant organisations, Awarding Organisations and further to the relevant Qualification Regulator.

Links:

ESFA – How the ESFA handles Whistleblowing disclosures - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-esfa-handles-whistleblowing-disclosures

NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/dedicated-helplines/whistleblowing-advice-line/

Policy Revision

Policy updated annually by:

Oliver Hill

Head of Apprenticeships and Commercial

APPENDIX 1. WHISTLE BLOWING REPORT FORM

This Whistleblowing report form should be sent to Section 1 - Your Contact Information

Title:
Forename(s):
Surname:
Employer (as applicable):
Role:
Address for correspondence:
Email address:
Phone no:

 

 

Section 2 – Disclosure

 

Date of incident being disclosed:
Name and roles of individuals considered responsible for the incident:
Full details of the incident and those affected by the incident: *
Other relevant information i.e. if pertinent to a specific qualification or course:

*Continue onto second page if necessary

Submit the completed form to Oliver Hill - Head of Apprenticeships and Commercial via either email: oliver.hill@dynamictraining.org.uk or via post to:

Dynamic Training

Unit 7, Brook Business Centre, Cowley Mill Road, Uxbridge, UB8 2FX