Whistleblowing policy

Suffolk County Council is committed to operating with high standards of openness, propriety and integrity, and to provide a safe, supportive, open and honest working environment. It is important that any wrongdoing within the council is reported and appropriately addressed. Raising concerns about wrongdoing is known as whistleblowing.

The Whistleblowing Policy is for reporting serious concerns of wrongdoing. Complaints about the council’s services and activities can be directed to our Customer Service Team.

Whistleblowing is an important aspect of organisational governance. Suffolk County Council’s Whistleblowing Policy aims to:

• encourage individuals to feel confident in raising serious concerns.
• provide channels for raising concerns.
• ensure that concerns are taken seriously by the county council and sets out what is covered, how to report whistleblowing and who to contact.

The Whistleblowing Policy is for reporting serious concerns of wrongdoing such as:

• any criminal offence (such as bribery, fraud or theft)
• a breach of any legal obligation
• a miscarriage of justice
• endangering an individual’s health and safety
• damage to the environment
• deliberate concealment of information about any of the above.

If you are a member of the public and have a complaint about the council’s services and activities, or wish to report serious concerns of wrongdoing, this should be directed to our Customer Service Team.

If you are a ‘worker’, as defined by the Whistleblowing Policy, the policy sets out how to raise a concern.

If you need advice and guidance on how matters of concern may be raised or pursued, you can also contact any of the designated whistleblowing specialists or send an email to: whistleblowing@suffolk.gov.uk.

Suffolk County Council will not tolerate harassment or victimisation and will take reasonable action to protect whistleblowers. Employees are protected under law by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA).

The Whistleblowing Policy is reviewed annually to ensure it complies with legislation and remains effective in practice. Any significant amendments are made in consultation with the council’s Corporate Leadership Team and recognised Trade Unions and presented to the Audit Committee.