Whistleblowing Policy
Cornwall Cricket – Whistleblowing Policy
Cornwall Cricket is committed to maintaining a culture where it is safe, and acceptable, for all those involved in cricket to raise concerns about unacceptable practice and misconduct.
You may be the first to recognise something is wrong, but you may not feel able to express your concerns out of a belief that this would be disloyal to colleagues, or you may fear harassment, victimisation or disadvantage. These feelings, however natural, must never result in a child continuing to be unnecessarily at risk. Remember, it is often the most vulnerable children who are targeted.
These children need someone like you to safeguard their welfare.
Those involved in the sport must acknowledge their individual responsibilities to bring matters of concern to the attention of the relevant people, and/or agencies. Although this can be difficult, it is particularly important where the welfare of children may be at risk.
Cornwall Cricket assures all involved in cricket that they will be treated fairly and that all concerns will be properly considered. In cases where the suspicions prove to be unfounded, no action will be taken against those who report their suspicions/ allegations, provided they acted in good faith and without malicious intent.
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects whistle blowers from victimisation, discipline or dismissal where they raise genuine concerns of misconduct or malpractice. Reasons for whistle blowing each individual has a responsibility for raising concerns about unacceptable practice or behavior:
• To prevent the problem worsening or widening
• To protect or reduce risk to others
• To prevent becoming implicated yourself What stops people from sharing concerns (whistle blowing?)
• Fear of starting a chain of events
• Reluctance to disrupt work or training
• Fear of getting it wrong
• Fear of repercussions or damaging careers
• Fear of not being believed
What happens next?
• You should be given relevant information on the nature and progress of enquiries
• All concerns will be treated in confidence. During the process of investigating the matter, every effort will be made to keep the identity of those raising the concern unknown, except to the minimum number of individuals practicable
• Your Club Welfare Officer, County Welfare Officer and the Cornwall Cricket have a responsibility to protect you from harassment or victimisation
• No action will be taken against you if the concern proves to be unfounded and was raised in good faith
• Malicious allegations may be considered a disciplinary offense; Cornwall Cricket Whistle Blowing Policy – CCB Whistle Blowing Policy – January 2020
CCB Safeguarding Whistle Blowing Procedures (sharing concerns promptly and with confidence) Should suspicions be raised via a “tip off”, the person receiving the tip off should attempt to obtain the following information from the informant:
• Name address and telephone number
• Whether they will submit any evidence (if applicable)
• Names of individuals involved
• How they became aware of the nature of the allegation
• The manner of the alleged incident/s or circumstances
• You should not attempt to deal with any allegation or suspicion yourself, rather inform your Club Welfare Officer or your County Welfare Officer or the Cornwall Cricket Safeguarding Team.
Specifically do not:
• Inform the person about whom the concern was raised
• Commence your own investigation
• Inform any other members, participants or employees
• Annotate or remove evidence
• Delay in reporting the suspicion
NEVER assume:
• “All is well, otherwise it would have been spotted earlier”
• “Ignore it as it is not my responsibility”
• “It doesn’t matter” or “no harm will arise”
• “Someone else must have reported it already”
Who do I tell?
The first person you should report your suspicion or allegation to is your Club Welfare Officer. If for any reason you cannot, or do not wish to report the matter to your Club Welfare Officer, you should refer to your County Welfare Officer.
If you cannot, or do not wish to, report the information to either of these, then please contact the Cornwall Cricket Safeguarding Team by email on [email protected] or telephone 01872 267138.
Alternatively, you can also contact Public Concern at Work on 020 7404 6609 or [email protected].
The amount of feedback relating to the issue will vary depending on the nature and result of the investigations. However, where possible, those who have raised concerns will be kept informed of the progress and conclusion of investigations, although they may not be informed of the detail unless they would need this information in order to safeguard children.