SAMPLE IN-HOUSE WHISTLE-BLOWING TRAINING

PROGRAMME FOR CIPD MEMBERS

This is a hands-on training workshop essential for anyone who is designated under a
whistle-blowing policy or someone whom staff might approach if they had a potentially
serious concern about wrongdoing in your organisation.
Public Concern at Work (PCaW) trainers are experienced in facilitating workshops and
conveying legalistic terminology in understandable, practical language. The workshops draw
on PCaWs experience running its whistle-blowing advice service and working with
organisations to promote best practice whistle-blowing in line with the Whistle-blowing
Commissions Code of Practice on Whistle-blowing Arrangements.
PURPOSE
PCaW recommend managers, designated officers and board members attend to ensure
everyone understands the whistle-blowing framework and their vital roles in creating and
embedding an open culture, which encourages staff to raise concerns, and handle those
concerns effectively. The training covers the background, law, culture and practice of
whistle-blowing, and through case studies and interactive work and discussion, explores
some of the difficult issues that can arise when handling whistle-blowers. By having a mix of
delegates it is a good opportunity for staff to engage with each other on arrangements,
practice and examples.
KEY OBJECTIVES
1. Understanding best practice on whistle-blowing and how a positive culture impacts on
staff and the organisation.
2. Highlighting the difference between whistle-blowing and other concerns.
3. Learning, re-capping and discussing best practice on handling whistle-blowers to ensure
they are supported through the process and the concern is investigated.
4. Improving communication skills.
5. Understanding the legal framework.

A sample in-house programme is set out below. This can be tailored to need.

Time

Activity

10:00
10:15

Registration and coffee

Whistle-blowing: setting the scene:
whistle-blowing - why it matters
setting the scene and experience of PCaW.
Case study
In this practical exercise, participants will focus on the
issue of communication and accountability. The case
study will be designed to go through the whistle-blowing
framework, identifying where problems can arise and
how can they be avoided.
Tea/coffee
Handling the whistle-blower 1
This session will cover:
discussing the policy framework
discussion on organisations policy
first steps when whistle-blowers contact
gathering information
whistle-blowing and other issues (such as
grievances) and dealing with them effectively
providing reassurance.
Lunch
Whistle-blowing: the Law
An overview of the legal framework.
Handling the whistle-blower 2
Interactive session focusing on the key aspects of
handling the whistle-blower after the initial contact
including potentially difficult issues, for example,
confidentiality and feedback.
Feedback to whistle-blowers and Data Protection
Act
Confidentiality, anonymity
Code of Practice on whistle-blowing arrangements
Case study
Pulling together learnings and discussion from the day.
Practice and audit
Logging concerns
Number versus quality
How do you know your arrangements are working?
Questions and close

11:00

11:45
12:00

13:00
13:30
14:15

15:00
15:30

16:00