Whistleblowing Policy

AURA Care – Norfolk, United Kingdom
Effective Date: September 2025

At AURA Care, we are committed to promoting a culture of openness, integrity, and accountability. This Whistleblowing Policy outlines how employees, contractors, volunteers, and others working in or with our organisation can raise genuine concerns about wrongdoing in the workplace without fear of retaliation. It supports our duty to provide high-quality, safe, and lawful care across Norfolk, United Kingdom, in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and Care Quality Commission (CQC) guidelines.

Purpose of This Policy

Whistleblowing is the disclosure of information that relates to suspected wrongdoing or dangers in the workplace. This may include concerns about:

  • Abuse or neglect of a service user

  • Criminal activity or fraud

  • Breaches of health and safety regulations

  • Failure to comply with legal or regulatory obligations

  • Professional misconduct

  • Attempts to cover up any of the above

This policy is not intended for personal grievances (e.g. bullying or disputes between staff), which should be addressed through our Grievance Procedure.

Who Can Raise a Concern?

Any staff member, agency worker, volunteer, student, or contractor who believes there is serious malpractice or misconduct occurring within AURA Care is encouraged to raise the concern under this policy.

How to Raise a Concern

Concerns should be raised as early as possible, ideally in writing, and directed to:

AURA Care Whistleblowing Lead Officer
Email: info@theauracare.co.uk
Or directly to your line manager if preferred.

Where the concern involves your line manager or senior staff, or you feel unable to raise it internally, you may also contact:

Confidentiality and Protection

All whistleblowing reports will be treated in strict confidence. We will take all reasonable steps to protect the identity of the whistleblower if requested. Retaliation, victimisation, or dismissal as a result of whistleblowing is strictly prohibited. Anyone found to have victimised a whistleblower will face disciplinary action.

How We Respond

All reports will be acknowledged and assessed within a reasonable timeframe. An appropriate investigation will be conducted either internally or in partnership with external bodies, depending on the nature of the concern. Outcomes will be shared where appropriate and lawful.

Commitment to Openness

At AURA Care, we value the courage it takes to speak up. We want our staff to feel safe and supported when raising concerns that are in the public interest. Whistleblowing is not disloyal—it is a professional duty and a vital part of safeguarding the people we care for.

This policy will be reviewed annually and made available to all employees as part of our induction and ongoing training programme.