A new whistleblowing helpline launched for Nursery workers
A helpline has been launched for nursery workers to use if worried about child abuse happening in their setting. This whistleblowing helpline will provide an opportunity to help protect children. The service is available to professionals working in teaching or childcare settings.
Anyone calling the free phone number will be protected with legal protection under the employment law. Expert advice will be given and callers will be treated in confidence and stay anonymous if the complaint is taken further. Those dealing with the calls will be professionals such as social workers, nurses and police who will all be trained to deal with these calls.
NSPCC Chief executive Peter Wanless said, “If an employee thinks a child is in danger or has been failed but their organisation then nothing should stand in the way of them speaking out.
‘Too often people with concerns have kept silent because they have been fearful of the consequences for their jobs, and this can have devastating consequences for the children involved.
‘A feature of the child abuse scandals of recent years has been people who said they thought something wasn’t right but were unsure whether they could discuss their concerns confidentially outside their organisation.’
John Cameron, the charity’s head of helplines said employees considering raising a concern internally could even use the helpline to ‘rehearse’ how to broach the issue with bosses. They may have already raised concerns with management but feel they have not been listened to, added Mr Cameron.
Concerns raised through this helpline are passed onto the relevant service such as social services, child protection officers or Ofsted so children can get the help they need. This helpline is launched to help identify a place for people to contact if they have a concern over child abuse.
Karen Bradley MP, minister said, ‘The new NSPCC whistleblowing helpline will be a vital service in our fight to end child abuse, including sexual exploitation.
‘Every child deserves to be safe from abuse, and organisations that are trusted to protect our children must work as effectively as possible to achieve this.
Everyone should have the confidence to report concerns about child abuse.
- The helpline can be reached on 0800 028 0285 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday