External Whistleblowing & Disclosure Policy
Guidelines for Delegates, Learners, and Partners.
Important: Confidentiality & Safeguarding
The "Chatham House Rule" has limits.
JL Academy strives to create a "Zone of Safety" within our training sessions where delegates can speak openly about the challenges they face. We encourage open reflection.
However, we cannot promise absolute confidentiality if a disclosure suggests a risk of harm. If information is shared during a course that indicates:
- A potential legal violation or criminal act;
- A safeguarding risk to a vulnerable adult or child;
- Abuse, neglect, or significant breach of duty of care;
We have a professional and legal duty to breach confidence and report this information to the relevant authorities.
1. Purpose and Scope
This policy outlines how JL Academy handles disclosures made by external parties (specifically training delegates) regarding malpractice or safety concerns within their own employing organisations.
We are committed to the highest standards of openness and accountability. This policy aims to:
- Provide a transparent framework for how we handle disclosures made during training.
- Reassure delegates that genuine concerns will be taken seriously.
- Ensure compliance with Safeguarding, CQC, and RRN standards.
2. What Constitutes a Reportable Concern?
A "whistleblowing" concern differs from a personal grievance. We are obligated to act on information that suggests:
- Physical, emotional, or institutional abuse of service users.
- Failure to comply with legal obligations (e.g., Health & Social Care Act).
- Miscarriage of justice.
- Criminal offences (past, present, or likely to happen).
- Concealment of any of the above.
3. Our Reporting Process
If a JL Academy trainer receives information concerning the safety or legality of practices within a client organisation, we will follow this strict hierarchy of reporting:
Internal Escalation
The Trainer will immediately document the disclosure and escalate it to a JL Academy Director for review.
Report to Purchaser (Client Organisation)
We will report the concern directly to the Purchaser of the Training (e.g., The Service Manager, Registered Manager, or L&D Director), unless that individual is implicated in the disclosure.
Report to Safeguarding Bodies
If the purchaser fails to act, is implicated, or if the risk is immediate, we will escalate the report to the relevant external bodies (e.g., CQC, Local Authority Safeguarding Team, Ofsted).
Report to Police
If the disclosure involves a crime or immediate danger to life, we will report the matter directly to the Police.
4. Anonymity and Support
While we will respect a delegate's request for anonymity where possible, we cannot guarantee it if a safeguarding referral is required by law. In such cases, the identity of the source may need to be disclosed to the Police or Safeguarding Authorities to ensure a proper investigation.
Raise a Concern
If you wish to make a formal disclosure outside of the training room environment, please contact:
concerns@jl-academy.com