Whistleblowing policy (confidential reporting) - 4.0 How we handle the matter

Your concern will be acknowledged within five working days of it being received. It will be reviewed and assessed so a decision can be made regarding what action may be appropriate. Possible actions include an informal review, an internal inquiry or a more formal investigation. Investigations will be conducted by a service independent of where concerns have been raised. You will be informed regarding who will be handling the matter, how you can contact them and what further assistance may be required. If requested, we will write to you, summarising your concern, outlining how we propose to handle it and expected timetable for feedback. If you have concerns that we have misunderstood the concern or there is any information missing, please let us know.

When raising a concern, it is helpful to know how you think the matter may best be resolved. Please be clear from the outset if you have any personal interest in the matter. Following the initial review, if we think your concern falls more properly within a different policy or procedure, we will let you know and signpost you appropriately.

We will always endeavour to provide feedback on the outcome of any investigation. However, we may not always be able to tell you about the precise actions taken where this would infringe a duty of confidence we owe to another person. 

While we cannot guarantee that we will respond to all matters in the way that you might wish, we will strive to handle the matter fairly and properly. By using this policy, you will help us to achieve this.

At any stage of this process, if you experience reprisal, harassment or victimisation for raising a genuine concern please contact the Head of Internal Audit by emailing InternalAuditService@walsall.gov.uk for further advice.