Whistleblowing Policy

This policy enables staff, volunteers and trustees to raise serious concerns about wrongdoing at Rahma Academy without fear of reprisal. It exists so that a concern is never left unspoken because someone was unsure who to tell.

What to raise

• A child has been harmed, or safeguarding procedures are not being followed.
• An adult’s conduct towards children is unsafe or inappropriate.
• Health and safety of children or staff is being put at risk.
• Fraud, misuse of funds, or dishonesty.
• A criminal offence, or a failure to comply with a legal obligation.
• Any deliberate attempt to conceal any of the above.

How to raise a concern

1. Normally, raise it with maktab leadership, verbally or in writing, as soon as possible.
2. If the concern is about leadership, or you feel it has not been acted on, go directly to the management committee.
3. You may go outside the maktab at any point — you do not need our permission. Contact Walsall children’s social care on 0300 555 2866, the NSPCC whistleblowing advice line on 0800 028 0285, the police, or the charity Protect for free confidential advice.

How we respond

• We acknowledge the concern within 5 working days.
• We decide how it will be investigated and by whom, ensuring the person investigating is independent of the concern.
• We keep the person who raised the concern informed of progress, as far as confidentiality allows.
• Concerns involving a child’s safety are actioned immediately, not held pending investigation.

Protection and confidentiality

Anyone raising a genuine concern in good faith will be protected. Victimising, harassing or dismissing someone for whistleblowing is itself a disciplinary matter, and workers who disclose wrongdoing in the public interest have legal protection under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. We will keep your identity confidential wherever possible. Anonymous concerns are considered, though they are harder to investigate.

Concerns raised maliciously or in bad faith may be treated as a disciplinary matter. Being mistaken, however, is not bad faith — you will never be penalised for raising a genuine worry that turns out to be unfounded.