Whistleblowing

What is whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the act of raising legitimate concerns in the public interest about Walsall Council’s activities and practices. 

We are committed to the highest standards of openness, accountability, and integrity. This procedure allows anyone working for the council, including contractors and suppliers, to come forward with serious concerns. 

Whistleblowing provides a mechanism for concerns to be raised in the public interest without fear of victimisation or retaliation available to those who work for or supply the council.

Raising a concern if you work for / supply the council

The procedure applies to:

• everyone working for the council, including temporary and agency staff
• contractors working for the council on council premises
• suppliers
• those providing services under a contract with the council in their own premises

While the procedure does not apply to members of the public, it’s included on our website so that residents and other people who use our services can understand our arrangements for whistleblowing.

Where appropriate and lawful to do so, the Council will seek to provide feedback on the progress or outcome of a concern. However, the level of information that can be shared may be limited by legal, confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Member conduct

Concerns regarding the conduct of elected members should be raised through the Council's standards and member conduct arrangements.

Whistleblowing policy

Whilstleblowing policy (confidential reporting)

Raising a concern if you’re a resident or service user

You can raise a concern with us by:

• using our complaints procedures
• contacting your local councillor

Our social care services follow the corporate procedure to protect vulnerable clients. We have a statutory complaints procedure for all service user complaints.

Complaints relating to children's services and adult social care are subject to statutory complaints procedures. Concerns about safeguarding, abuse or neglect should be reported immediately through the appropriate safeguarding arrangements.

• How to complain about adult social care
• How to complaint about children's social care

Fraud, corruption, financial irregularities

Concerns relating to suspected fraud, corruption, financial irregularity or serious misconduct may be reported to:

• Internal Audit
• the Monitoring Officer
• the Section 151 Officer
• the Chief Executive
• through the Council's confidential reporting arrangements