Whistleblowing Policy

Purpose

This policy provides a safe, confidential route for anyone connected to Towerblock Radio CIC to raise concerns about wrongdoing, malpractice or danger without fear of detriment.

Scope

This policy applies to all directors, staff, volunteers, contractors, DJs, presenters and anyone working with or on behalf of Towerblock Radio CIC.

Definitions

• Whistleblowing means making a disclosure in the public interest about wrongdoing, malpractice or danger within an organisation.
• Qualifying disclosure means a disclosure of information that, in the reasonable belief of the worker, shows one or more relevant failures has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur.
• Detriment means any act or omission that causes a disadvantage to a person, such as dismissal, demotion, harassment or exclusion.

Responsibilities

The board is responsible for ensuring an effective whistleblowing framework. The board chair (or a designated independent director) is the whistleblowing contact. All managers must support staff who raise concerns.

Policy Statement

Towerblock Radio CIC is committed to the highest standards of openness, honesty and accountability. We encourage anyone who has a serious concern about any aspect of the organisation's work to come forward and voice those concerns. We will protect whistleblowers from detriment and investigate all disclosures properly.

Detailed Procedures

What can be reported

Concerns may include:

• Criminal activity.
• Fraud, theft or financial irregularity.
• Bribery or corruption.
• Safeguarding failures.
• Health and safety dangers.
• Environmental damage.
• Miscarriage of justice.
• Failure to comply with legal obligations.
• Deliberate concealment of any of the above.

How to raise a concern

Concerns should be raised with the board chair in writing or by email. If the concern involves the chair, it should be raised with another director. If internal routes are not appropriate, concerns may be raised with a prescribed external body such as the ICO, HSE, police, or the Charity Commission.

Protection from detriment

Towerblock Radio CIC will not tolerate any form of victimisation, harassment or detriment against anyone who raises a genuine concern. Anyone found to have victimised a whistleblower will face disciplinary action.

Investigation

The board chair shall acknowledge the concern within seven days. An investigation will be conducted by an appropriate person, who may be a director, an independent investigator, or an external adviser. The whistleblower will be kept informed of progress and the outcome, subject to confidentiality.

Confidentiality

The identity of the whistleblower will be kept confidential as far as possible, and information will only be shared with those who need to know. The whistleblower may be asked to provide information or meet with the investigator.

Anonymous disclosures

Anonymous disclosures will be considered, but it may be more difficult to investigate or take action without the ability to follow up with the person who raised the concern.

Untrue or malicious disclosures

If a disclosure is found to be deliberately untrue or malicious, the person who made it may be subject to disciplinary action. However, no action will be taken against someone who raises a genuine concern in good faith, even if it proves to be mistaken.

Reporting Process

The board receives a report on all whistleblowing disclosures and their outcomes at each meeting, with the whistleblower's identity protected.

Compliance Requirements

• Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (which amends the Employment Rights Act 1996).
• Bribery Act 2010.
• UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

Monitoring

The board reviews whistleblowing activity annually.

Review Cycle

This policy shall be reviewed annually.

Version Number

Version 1.0

Approval Section

Approved by: Towerblock Radio CIC Board Date: July 2026 Next review: July 2027

Related Policies

• Fraud Prevention Policy
• Safeguarding Policy
• Complaints Policy
• Health and Safety Policy

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Whistleblowing Policy | Towerblock Radio

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Towerblock Radio CIC's whistleblowing policy providing a safe, confidential route to raise concerns about wrongdoing, malpractice or danger, in compliance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

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