Agenda item

This report provides an update on whistle-blowing activity for the period May – October 2012. 

Declarations of interest:

None.

Officers:

Matthew Baker, Deputy Head of HR&OD

Abid Dar, Equality Inclusion & Wellbeing Manager

Key points raised during the discussion:

1.    The Deputy Head of HR&OD introduced the item and advised that there had been a recent increase in calls using the Expolink service.  Officers considered the increase in calls as a positive development as it demonstrated that people were using the service. 

2.    There had been a number of efforts to publicise and highlight the benefits of the service.  Pages on the intranet had focussed on what whistleblowing is about and how staff should feel confident and protected when calling the whistleblowing hotline.  The SNet pages also linked to a number of policies and procedures.

3.    It was reported that Expolink was advertised as part of the employee benefits package.  In addition, with the Council taking on public health responsibilities, more work was being done to link to the new Department for Health free whistleblowing hotline.

4.    The Deputy Head of HR&OD advised that a recent ‘mini-survey’ of staff opinion in the Change & Efficiency Directorate had been undertaken.  The mini survey included sections on bullying and harassment and linked to whistleblowing.  The results were based on qualitative information and were being used to encourage people to get involved with focus groups to help tackle issues.

5.    Meetings were held regularly between Babcock 4S and HR&OD.  The Deputy Head of HR&OD said that they were building stronger relationships with bursars and teachers and used mechanisms such as the Schools Finance newsletter to publicise whistleblowing options.

6.    One Member advised that a school bursar had recently told him she understood that the whistleblowing policy would be released in March.  The Deputy Head of HR&OD confirmed that the policy was already in place and was on the Babcock 4S website.

7.    It was noted that the contract with Expolink had recently been renewed at the same price for the next 5 years.

8.    The Deputy Head of HR&OD agreed to talk directly with Babcock 4S about ensuring that governors were adequately equipped to know how to raise whistleblowing type issues.

9.    Members asked what protection was offered to the whistleblower when making a call.  The Deputy Head of HR&OD advised that the whisteblower would be able to remain anonymous.  In addition the fact that staff have legal protection when making a whistleblowing claim is highlighted on the SNet.  It was acknowledged that there was some risk associated with making a complaint, but that staff should be encouraged to do so and congratulated for coming forward about concerns. 

10.  It was noted that the statistics in the report showed that no calls to Expolink had come from school staff.  The Deputy Head of HR&OD explained that while some calls were received from school staff (for example under those listed as ‘no incidents arising); the majority came from corporate staff.  Members queried whether this indicated that the relationship with Babcock 4S needed to be strengthened so that staff knew how they could raise concerns.  The Deputy Head of HR&OD felt that the relationship with 4S was strong, and that they met regularly.  He said the service offered to schools was as comprehensive as that offered to corporate staff.  The Equality Inclusion & Wellbeing Manager advised that he had recently met with 4S to talk about how messages could be spread wider through schools, without necessarily needing to go through governors or headmasters.  He explained that schools had been asking for posters from Expolink, which were then rebranded for particular schools.  Messages in printed payslips was another method that was being used to publicise the service in schools – it had been found that printed material had the greatest impact on calls coming in. 

11.  The Deputy Head of HR&OD suggested that Glenn Bishop (Babcock 4S) be invited to a future meeting of the Committee to give an account of what was happening in terms of publicity of the Expolink service in schools.  (Recommendations tracker ref: A54/12).    

12.  The Chief Internal Auditor advised that the Internal Audit team also did some work around raising awareness of fraud in schools through the school’s bulletin and at bursar conferences, for example. 

Actions/Further information to be provided:

A Babcock 4S representative be invited to a future meeting to talk about whistleblowing in schools.

RESOLVED:

The Committee noted the progress made.

Committee Next Steps:

The Committee to receive a further update in June 2013.