Legal/Regulatory Requirements
This policy and its related procedures exist to ensure that Bath Abbey Music Society (BAMS) is compliant with the following:
Policy statement
BAMS recognises that public interest disclosures (also known as “whistleblowing”) play a vital role in protecting its own interests and those of the public by helping to identify and combat illegal, unethical and corrupt practices.
BAMS aims to meet its commitment to this by:
- Ensuring people can raise concerns without fear of any immediate or future consequences.
- Ensuring any concerns raised are investigated and, if found valid, appropriate actions are taken.
- Ensuring people who have made a disclosure of this nature are supported and protected during and after the investigation.
- Investigating and responding to any instances of people being targeted for reporting a concern.
- Ensuring that lessons are learned when things go wrong.
Responsibilities
BAMS has a Whistleblowing Trustee, who is responsible for:
- Acting as an alternative point of contact and escalation for those reporting serious concerns.
- Ensuring that serious concerns raised directly with them are subject to independent investigation.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for:
- Approving the policy and subsequent amendments to it.
- Monitoring performance.
- Investigating and deciding any appeals received in relation to the outcome of an investigation.
The Whistleblowing Trustee is responsible for:
- Reviewing this policy and recommending appropriate amendments.
- Overseeing the investigation of public interest disclosures and responding to the person who made the disclosure.
- Investigating and responding to any breaches of this policy and its related procedures.
- Reporting to the Chair of the Board of Trustees the outcome of any investigations carried out.
All Trustees are responsible for:
- ensuring they comply with this policy, its procedures and any guidance issued in relation to it.
Arrangements
The arrangements for this policy will be recorded within procedures which, alongside this policy, will be reviewed to ensure that they are kept up to date.
Any substantive changes to the procedures or anything that requires a change to the policy itself requires approval by the Board of Trustees.
Review of Policy
This policy will be reviewed every three years, or sooner if warranted by internal or external events or changes and any amendments proposed submitted to Board of Trustees for approval.