Raising Concerns Safely

PURPOSE

Homecare North Lanarkshire is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and professional accountability in every aspect of our service delivery. We recognise that our staff are at the heart of safeguarding the wellbeing, dignity, and rights of the older adults who rely on our care and support. Maintaining a culture of openness, trust, and transparency is essential to ensuring the safety and quality of our services.

This policy sets out clear guidance for all employees, volunteers, and contractors on how to raise genuine concerns or disclosures about suspected wrongdoing, unsafe practices, neglect, abuse, or breaches of professional conduct within the organisation. Staff are encouraged and supported to speak up at the earliest opportunity, confident that their concerns will be listened to, treated seriously, and investigated appropriately.

Homecare North Lanarkshire is firmly committed to ensuring that anyone who raises a concern in good faith will be protected from victimisation, discrimination, or adverse treatment because of their disclosure. We will respond to all concerns fairly, promptly, and in accordance with due process, ensuring that lessons learned contribute to ongoing improvement in practice and organisational culture.

Our approach fully aligns with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice, and the Care Inspectorate’s guidance on raising concerns and whistleblowing. Together, these frameworks reinforce our duty to create a safe, accountable, and transparent environment — one in which both staff and service users can have complete confidence in the integrity of our care provision.

SCOPE

This policy applies to:

• All employees, agency workers, volunteers, contractors, and students working with Homecare North Lanarkshire.
• Concerns relating to:

§ Neglect, abuse, or exploitation of service users.

§ Unsafe working practices or breaches of health and safety.

§ Breaches of confidentiality or data protection.

§ Fraud, theft, or financial irregularities.

§ Breaches of professional conduct or regulatory standards.

§ Any other unethical or illegal activity.

POLICY STATEMENT

Homecare North Lanarkshire is dedicated to maintaining the highest possible standards of honesty, integrity, professionalism, and accountability across all areas of our service. We recognise that our staff are central to safeguarding the health, safety, dignity, and rights of the older adults we support, and we rely on their vigilance and integrity to uphold these standards every day.

This policy provides clear and practical guidance for all employees, agency workers, volunteers, and contractors on how to raise genuine concerns or disclosures relating to suspected wrongdoing, malpractice, neglect, unsafe practices, or breaches of professional or ethical conduct within the organisation.

We actively encourage a culture where staff feel empowered and supported to speak up about any concerns that could compromise the quality or safety of care. Every employee has both a right and a responsibility to report poor practice or misconduct without fear of intimidation, victimisation, or reprisal.

Homecare North Lanarkshire is fully committed to ensuring that all whistleblowing concerns are handled sensitively, fairly, promptly, and confidentially, in line with legal and regulatory expectations. Concerns raised in good faith will always be taken seriously, investigated appropriately, and responded to with transparency and respect for all parties involved.

This commitment is underpinned by our compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice, the Health and Social Care Standards (Scotland), and the Care Inspectorate’s guidance on raising concerns. These frameworks collectively reinforce our organisational duty to promote a safe, open, and accountable working culture, where learning and improvement are at the heart of everything we do.

By encouraging openness and protecting those who speak up, we strengthen not only our ethical foundations but also the trust and confidence that service users, families, and regulators place in Homecare North Lanarkshire.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

This policy is informed by:

· Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA)

· Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Codes of Practice

· Health and Social Care Standards (Scotland): My Support, My Life

· Care Inspectorate: Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing Policy

· Employment Rights Act 1996

PROCEDURE FOR RAISING CONCERNS

Internal Reporting:

• Staff should raise concerns initially with their line manager or Registered Manager, either verbally or in writing.
• If the concern involves the manager, or staff feel unable to report internally, they may escalate directly to a senior manager, director, or Responsible Person for the service.

Confidentiality:

• All concerns will be handled sensitively and in confidence. The identity of the whistleblower will not be disclosed without their consent, unless legally required.

External Reporting:

If internal reporting is not appropriate, staff may report concerns directly to external regulators, such as:

· Care Inspectorate: 0345 600 9527 / www.careinspectorate.com

· SSSC: 0345 603 0891 / www.sssc.uk.com

· Local Authority Adult Support and Protection Team

· Police Scotland (in cases of criminal behaviour)

Anonymous Reporting:

• Concerns may be raised anonymously, though this may limit the ability to investigate fully.

Investigation:

• All reports will be acknowledged promptly and investigated in line with the organisation’s disciplinary and safeguarding procedures.
• Findings will be documented, and appropriate action will be taken.

PROTECTION FROM DETRIMENT

No employee will suffer dismissal, disciplinary action, or any form of victimisation for raising a genuine concern in good faith. Retaliation against a whistleblower will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter and may result in dismissal.

RESPONSIBITIES

All Staff: Have a duty of care to report poor practice or concerns that may place a service user or colleague at risk.

Line Managers: Must respond appropriately to concerns, record information accurately, and escalate as required.

Registered Manager: Holds overall responsibility for ensuring compliance with this policy, supporting whistleblowers, and ensuring timely, fair investigations.

MONITORING AND REVIEW

All whistleblowing reports and outcomes will be recorded and monitored to identify any recurring issues or training needs.

Lessons learned will inform policy reviews, staff supervision, and training programmes to strengthen the culture of openness.

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if new legislation or guidance is issued by the SSSC, Care Inspectorate, or Scottish Government.

RELATED POLICIES

· Whistle-blowing / Raising a Concern Policy

· Safeguarding / Adult Support & Protection Policy

· Incident, Accident & Near-Miss Reporting Policy

· Confidentiality & Data Protection Policy

· Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

· Code of Conduct / Professional Behaviour Policy

· Conflict of Interest & Secondary Employment Policy

· Recruitment, Selection & Induction Policy

· Supervision, Appraisal & Continuous Professional Learning Policy

· Health & Safety / Risk Management Policy

FURTHER READING

For further guidance, staff should refer to:

• SSSC Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers
• Care Inspectorate: Raising Concerns and Whistleblowing Policy
• Public Concern at Work (Protect): 020 3117 2520 / www.protect-advice.org.uk
• Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007

Staff may seek confidential advice from their manager, the Registered Manager, or directly from the SSSC or Care Inspectorate if they are unsure how to proceed.