Whistleblowing
Hopscotch is committed to the highest standards of openness, integrity and accountability. Whistleblowing is an important part of our safeguarding culture and enables staff to raise concerns responsibly where poor practice, wrongdoing or risks to children’s welfare are identified. Whistleblowing concerns may include safeguarding failures, unlawful conduct, serious breaches of policy, health and safety risks, financial malpractice, or behaviour that places children or others at risk. This policy applies to staff, volunteers, students, contractors, agency workers and others working on behalf of Hopscotch.
All adults working at Hopscotch holiday clubs have an individual responsibility to report concerns, particularly where the safety or wellbeing of children aged 4–11 may be at risk, in line with our safeguarding policies. Legal Protection While staff are expected to respect confidentiality, the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 provides legal protection for employees who raise genuine concerns about serious malpractice or wrongdoing in the public interest. Staff will not be dismissed or subjected to detriment for making a disclosure in good faith.
Confidentiality and Anonymity
- All disclosures will be handled sensitively and confidentially.
- Where possible, the identity of the person raising the concern will be protected, unless this prevents a fair or thorough investigation.
- Staff may be asked to provide a statement as part of an investigation.
- Hopscotch encourages staff to identify themselves when raising concerns, as anonymous reports can be harder to investigate, though they may still be considered depending on the seriousness and credibility of the concern.
Good Faith and Malicious Allegations
- No action will be taken against a member of staff who raises a concern honestly and in good faith, even if it is not upheld following investigation.
- Staff should take care to ensure information shared is accurate.
- Malicious, knowingly false or persistent vexatious allegations may result in disciplinary action.
Whistleblowing Procedure
Hopscotch operates an open and supportive reporting culture. Staff should raise concerns as early as possible using the following steps:
Report to the Holiday Club Manager Concerns should normally be reported to the Holiday Club Manager as soon as possible. The Manager will escalate the matter to a Senior Manager at Head Office where appropriate.
Direct Report to Head Office If the concern involves the Manager, or you feel unable to raise it with them, you should contact the Hopscotch Management Team directly: 
office@hopscotchmail.com
office@hopscotchmail.com External Reporting If you do not feel comfortable raising a safeguarding or whistleblowing concern internally, or believe your genuine concerns are not being addressed, you may contact appropriate external safeguarding or regulatory organisations for advice or to report concerns.
External Reporting Options
Protect: An independent organisation offering a confidential helpline for whistleblowing dilemmas.
NSPCC: For advice or to share concerns about a child
NSPCC Whistleblowing advice line
Ofsted: Ofsted provides guidance on how to make complaints about a childcare provider
Brighton and Hove
Front Door for Families
01273 290400 9AM-5PM Mon- Thurs | 01273 295555 Outside working hours | frontdoorforfamilies@brighton-hove.gcsx.gov.uk
Brighton and Hove LADO