Confidentiality

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Stay Connected Family Time will do its best to protect your identity when you raise a concern. However, it must be appreciated that, in the interests of natural justice, any investigation process may reveal the source of the information and a statement by you may be required as part of the evidence.

Anonymous Allegations

You are strongly encouraged to put your name to any allegation. Concerns expressed anonymously are much less powerful. Anonymous allegations will be considered, and any action taken at the discretion of Stay Connected Family Time Centre and in conjunction with the relevant agencies where appropriate.

In exercising this discretion, the following factors will be considered when considering how to deal with any allegations:

• The seriousness of the issues raised.

• The credibility of the allegation.

• The likelihood of confirming the allegation from attributable sources.

Malicious or vexatious allegations – Stagg, coordinators, and managers

If you make an allegation in good faith, but it is not confirmed by the investigation, no action will be taken against you. If, however, you make a malicious or vexatious allegation, disciplinary action may be taken against you in accordance with the Stay Connected Family Time Procedures.

How to raise a concern (for employees paid or unpaid)

As a first step, you should normally raise concerns with the Service Co-orindator, Will Chapple. This depends, however, on the seriousness and sensitivity of the issues involved and who you think may be involved in the malpractice. For example, if you believe that the Stay Connected Family Time Co-ordinator is involved, you should approach the Director, Sharlene Knight.

If you feel the Sharlene Knight may be involved, you should approach you should raise your concerns with the Chief Executive of NACCC.

With specific regard to Safeguarding issues, that may involve a member of staff, you should initially consult with the Co-ordinator. If you suspect, they or management may be related to the issue you should contact the NACCC Service Development Manager for advice. You can also contact your local authority Children’s Services Referrals Department for advice and assistance. Contact details are available at the end of this policy.

Concerns are better raised in writing. You are advised to set out background and history of your concerns, giving names, dates, and places, where possible, and the reason why you are particularly concerned about the situation. The earlier you express your concern, the easier it is for The Child Contact Centre, NACCC or your local authority Children’s Services Safeguarding Team to act.

Although you are not expected to prove the truth of an allegation, you will need to demonstrate to the person contacted that there are sufficient grounds for initial enquiries to be made.

Response from the Stay Connected Family Time

The action taken by the child contact centre will depend on the nature of the concern. The matters raised may:

• Be investigated internally.

• Be referred to the Police.

Allegations referred directly to the NACCC, or Children’s Services will be dealt with in accordance with their policies and procedures. Any person who is the subject of an allegation should, at the appropriate times be given details of the allegation to respond.

To protect individuals, initial enquiries will be made to decide whether an investigation is appropriate and, if so, what form it should take. Concerns or allegations that fall within the scope of specific procedures (e.g., Safeguarding or discrimination issues) will normally be referred for consideration under those procedures.

Some concerns may be resolved by agreed action without the need for an investigation. The following process will be followed in the event of complaints:

Stay Connected Family Time  Service will ensure that a letter is sent to confirm the receipt of the complaint.

The complaint will then be fully investigated and within 7 calendar days of when the complaint was first received. Stay Connected Family Time Service endeavour to investigate all complaints in a non-discriminatory manner.

A letter will be sent detailing how Stay Connected Family Time Child Contact Centre has dealt with the complaint.

To Escalate

If the complaint has not been dealt with in a manner which is satisfactory to the staff member, coordinator, manager, family, or others involved, then they can contact NACCC directly as follows: 

Telephone: 0115 947 4557

contact@naccc.org.uk

www.naccc.org.uk 

The local authority Children’s Services Duty Team telephone number is:  01296 383 962