Whistleblowing Policy

Effective Date: 14 July 2026
Last Updated: 14 July 2026

At IKEN Care, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of honesty, integrity, accountability, and professional practice. We encourage staff, volunteers, contractors, and others working with us to raise genuine concerns where they believe wrongdoing, unsafe practices, or unlawful activity may be occurring.

We believe that speaking up helps protect the people we support, our staff, and the quality of our services.

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

Encouraging individuals to raise concerns without fear.
Taking all concerns seriously.
Investigating concerns fairly and appropriately.
Maintaining confidentiality wherever possible.
Protecting individuals from victimisation or retaliation when concerns are raised in good faith.
Promoting an open and transparent culture.

What Should Be Reported?

Concerns may include, but are not limited to:

Unsafe care practices.
Abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding concerns.
Fraud or financial misconduct.
Criminal activity.
Breaches of legal or regulatory requirements.
Serious breaches of organisational policies.
Health and safety risks.
Deliberate concealment of wrongdoing.

This policy is intended for concerns raised in the public interest rather than personal employment grievances.

Raising a Concern

Concerns should be raised as soon as possible through the appropriate reporting channels within IKEN Care.

Where appropriate, concerns may also be reported to relevant regulatory bodies or statutory authorities.

Individuals raising concerns should provide as much information as possible to assist any investigation.

How We Respond

When concerns are raised, we will:

Acknowledge the concern where appropriate.
Assess the information provided.
Conduct a fair and proportionate investigation.
Take appropriate action where concerns are substantiated.
Maintain confidentiality wherever reasonably possible.
Keep the individual informed where appropriate.

Every concern will be considered on its own merits.

Protection for Whistleblowers

IKEN Care will not tolerate retaliation, harassment, discrimination, or victimisation against anyone who raises a genuine concern in good faith.

However, concerns that are knowingly false or malicious may be dealt with appropriately.

Confidentiality

We will make every reasonable effort to protect the identity of individuals raising concerns. Information will only be shared where necessary to investigate the matter or where required by law.

Continuous Improvement

Concerns raised under this policy help us improve our services, strengthen governance, enhance safeguarding, and maintain the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Contact Us

If you wish to raise a concern or require further information about this policy, please contact IKEN Care using the contact details provided on our website.