Crisplen Healthcare Ltd
 Last Reviewed: June 202

1. Policy Statement

Crisplen Healthcare Ltd is committed to operating to the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and openness. We encourage all employees, contractors, carers, agency workers, and stakeholders to report any concerns about wrongdoing within the organisation without fear of reprisal.

This Whistleblowing Policy is designed to enable individuals to raise concerns in the public interest relating to:

• Criminal offences
• Breaches of legal obligations
• Miscarriages of justice
• Health and safety dangers
• Environmental damage
• Suspected abuse or neglect of service users
• Attempts to conceal any of the above

2. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Provide a safe process for raising concerns.
• Ensure concerns are investigated appropriately and confidentially.
• Protect whistleblowers from retaliation or victimisation.
• Promote a culture of openness and accountability.

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees
• Agency and temporary workers
• Healthcare professionals and carers recruited or placed by us
• Volunteers
• Contractors and suppliers
• Members of the public interacting with our services

4. Legal Framework

This policy is aligned with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) and supports compliance with relevant standards issued by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and other regulatory bodies.

5. What Can Be Reported

Concerns that may be reported under this policy include but are not limited to:

• Safeguarding failures or abuse of service users
• Fraud, theft, or corruption
• Breach of professional codes of conduct
• Breach of legal or regulatory obligations
• Risk to health and safety of individuals
• Deliberate concealment of wrongdoing

This policy is not intended for personal grievances (e.g. bullying, harassment) unless they involve wider public interest. Such issues should be dealt with under our Grievance Policy.

6. Raising a Concern

Concerns should be raised as soon as possible. You can raise a concern:

• Verbally or in writing to your line manager or supervisor.
• To the Whistleblowing Officer (or a senior manager) if the concern involves your manager.
• By email to: info@crisplenhealthcare.co.uk
• Or by phone: 07754219969

Concerns may also be raised anonymously, but it may limit our ability to investigate.

7. How We Will Respond

Upon receiving a concern, we will:

1. Acknowledge receipt within 5 working days.
2. Assess the concern to determine if it falls within the scope of this policy.
3. Assign an appropriate person to conduct a prompt and fair investigation.
4. Provide feedback where appropriate, while maintaining confidentiality.

Every effort will be made to protect the identity of the whistleblower, unless disclosure is required by law.

8. Protection for Whistleblowers

Crisplen Healthcare Ltd will not tolerate any form of victimisation, discrimination, or retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.

Any employee found to be victimising a whistleblower may face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

9. External Reporting

If you feel that your concern has not been adequately addressed internally, or it is not appropriate to raise it within the organisation, you may contact an external body such as:

• Care Quality Commission (CQC): 03000 616161
• NHS Whistleblowing Helpline: 08000 724725
• Public Concern at Work (Protect): 020 3117 2520
   https://protect-advice.org.uk

10. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually or following any significant changes in legislation or business operations.

Signed: Ruth Ozokorie
 Director
 Crisplen Healthcare Ltd
 Date: 23/06/2025