Raising Concerns Policy page 2
4. Aims of the Raising Concerns Policy
4.1 The Council is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, probity, and accountability.
In line with this commitment, we want our workers and others that we deal with who have serious concerns about any aspect of the Council’s work to come forward and voice those concerns.
This policy aims to:
- Make you feel confident to raise concerns within the Council as soon as possible, rather than overlooking a problem or raising the concern externally,
- Give you avenues to raise concerns and receive feedback,
- Inform you how to take the matter further if you are dissatisfied with our response, and
- Reassure our workers that, in line with legislation, you will be protected from reprisals or victimisation for raising concerns that you reasonably believe to be true and in the public interest.
4.2 This policy is not intended to be used where other, more appropriate procedures are available, for example, in the case of grievances or allegations of bullying and harassment, or complaints.
The nature of the issue being raised will determine whether it is a concern, a grievance, or a complaint, and therefore the appropriate policy under which it should be addressed.
See Appendix 1 for guidance on issues that may be raised and the relevant policies that apply.
4.3 Workers are encouraged to initially use the Council’s Raising Concerns Policy to report concerns at work rather than airing their issues outside of the Council.
This policy explains the steps the Council will take to address such concerns and ensure that your concerns are appropriately considered and investigated and that you do not suffer detriment for raising a concern.
4.4 The Public Interest Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 provides legal protections for workers making what is termed ‘a protected disclosure’:
- The concern must relate to specified matters as detailed in the Order;
- You must disclose the information in good faith;
- You must believe it is to be substantially true;
- You must not act maliciously or make false allegations; and
- You must not seek any personal gain.
4.5 The Public Disclosure (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and the related (Prescribed Persons) (Amendment) Order (Northern Ireland) 2022 also provides channels for reporting concerns directly to prescribed regulatory bodies.
5. Links to the Corporate Plan
5.1 The Policy links to the core values that underpin the Council’s Corporate Plan 2024 - 2028.
Respect
Establishing a culture of openness, trust, and value.
Integrity
To support the spirit which enables honesty, accountability, and trust throughout.
6. Responsibility
6.1 Workers have a right to report improper actions and omissions.
Workers who act in good faith and in compliance with the law are protected, where possible, from interference or retaliation for reporting improper actions and co-operating with subsequent investigations or proceedings.
6.2 Failure of an employee to comply with the requirements of this policy may be considered a disciplinary matter and may be dealt with under Council’s Disciplinary Procedures.
6.3 In some specific circumstances you may be breaking the law if you DO NOT raise your concerns with management.
6.4 You can raise concerns about any issue relating to suspected malpractice, risk, abuse, or wrongdoing that is in the public interest.
7. Methods of Raising Concerns
7.1 Various channels exist through which concerns can be raised.
These are set out below:
Option 1 – Raise your concern with management
We hope that, in many instances, workers will feel able to raise the matter first with their immediate line manager or Director.
Concerns can be raised verbally or in writing.
Option 2- Raise your concern via email to the Raising Concerns mailbox
Concerns can be raised using the Council’s dedicated Raising Concerns mailbox, managed confidentially by the Council’s Director of Corporate Support Services.
Email: Raising.concerns@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Option 3 – Raise your concerns with senior designated officer or Member in writing or by telephone
If you feel unable to raise the matter with management or the Raising Concerns Champion, you should raise it with one of the following people:
- Chief Executive
- Chair of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee
You can call the Council on T: 0300 124 5000 and ask to be put through to the above contacts.
Option 4 - Raise your concern with a regulator / auditor
We hope that this policy gives you the reassurance to raise a concern internally.
However, it is also recognised that there may be circumstances where you may wish to report a concern to an outside body, such as a regulator.
You can seek independent advice from an experienced organisation before doing this.
Protect is an independent, charitable organisation that runs a free, confidential whistleblowing advice line.
Their number is T: 020 3117 2520 or you can contact them online via their Protect Advice website.
You may report concerns directly to the Council’s Internal Auditors, Deloitte Belfast by asking to speak to their Engagement Partner for Mid & East Antrim Council.
In addition, you may wish to report the concern to the Local Government Auditor (including the NIAO), who has been prescribed as a person to whom protected disclosures can be made under the Public Interest Disclosure (NI) Order 1998 in relation to the proper conduct of public business, value for money, fraud and corruption in relation to the provision of centrally funded public services and health service bodies.
More information can be obtained from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) on T: 028 9025 1062 or T:028 9025 1000 or email: raisingconcerns@niauditoffice.gov.uk