Whistleblowing policy

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework in England. The EYFS 2025 states that Little Explorers must be aware of the requirement to disclose information if the intention is to keep children safe. This is also covered by the ‘Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners’ guidance – View Website

Whistleblowing procedures are in place for assistants / staff to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice in the setting’s safeguarding provision. This will include, for example –

• When and how to report concerns about poor staff practice including disqualification notifications – immediately to the Local Safeguarding Partners (LSP) and notification to Ofsted and DBS.
• When and how to raise concerns about poor or unsafe practice – for example, inappropriate comments, excessive one-to-one attention beyond the normal or inappropriate sharing of images by a colleague or manager – suspend the staff member and report immediately to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and notify Ofsted.
• When and how to raise concerns if the childminder or staff are worried about a child in any context (in the setting or at home) – immediately to the LSP and the police if the situation is urgent.

Note that when 2 or more childminders work together, each childminder is equally responsible for safety.

Assistants / staff (where relevant) will be trained on whistleblowing procedures during induction and reminded of the procedures at other times – for example, during supervision meetings and safeguarding update training. They will be trained that if they are concerned and feel they cannot raise the issue with the designated safeguarding lead (DSL) in the setting, they can contact –

• NSPCC whistleblowing advice line – staff can call 0800 0280285 – 08:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday and 09:00 to 18:00 at weekends. The email address is: [email protected].
• The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH.
• Ofsted provides guidance on how to make complaints about a childcare provider – read more
• General guidance on whistleblowing can be found here