Whistleblowing Policy
Document control | |
Policy reference | AU-POL-20 |
Version | 1.0 |
Approved by | Board of Directors, Apex Up CIC |
Date adopted | 4 June 2026 |
Last reviewed | 4 June 2026 |
Next review due | 4 June 2027 (or sooner if legislation or guidance changes) |
Policy owner | Director, Apex Up CIC |
Applies to | All directors, staff, sessional coaches, volunteers and students at Apex Up CIC |
Apex Up CIC Whistleblowing Policy
1 Policy statement
Apex Up CIC is committed to honesty, openness and accountability. We want staff and volunteers to feel able to speak up if they become aware of serious wrongdoing, danger or malpractice connected with our work. This policy explains how to raise such concerns and the protection available to those who do.
2 Purpose and scope
This policy applies to all directors, staff, coaches, volunteers and students. It covers serious concerns in the public interest, such as risks to the safety of children or adults at risk, fraud or financial wrongdoing, danger to health and safety, criminal activity, or attempts to cover any of these up. It is not for personal complaints, which are dealt with under our Complaints or grievance procedures.
3 Protection for those who speak up
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects workers who raise genuine concerns in the public interest. No one who raises a concern honestly and in good faith will be penalised, dismissed or treated unfairly for doing so, even if it turns out they were mistaken. Victimising someone for whistleblowing, or trying to stop them, is itself a disciplinary matter.
4 How to raise a concern
In the first instance, raise your concern with the Director, Muhammed Zahir. If the concern is about the Director, or you do not feel able to raise it with them, contact another director or the Chair of the Board. Put your concern in writing where you can, with as much detail as possible. You can ask for your identity to be kept confidential, and we will respect that as far as we are able.
5 What happens next
We will take your concern seriously, decide how it should be looked into, and act promptly. Where the concern relates to the safety of a child or adult at risk, we will follow our safeguarding policies and involve the relevant authorities. We will let you know how the concern is being handled, although we may not be able to share every detail for confidentiality or legal reasons.
6 Raising a concern externally
We hope you will feel able to raise concerns with us. If you cannot, or you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact an appropriate external body, such as the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline for concerns about children, the relevant regulator, or the police.
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Apex Up CIC Whistleblowing Policy
7 Review and contacts
This policy is reviewed at least annually.
Contact | Details |
Director | Muhammed Zahir — mz@apexup.org — 07706 803260 |
NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline | 0800 028 0285 — help@nspcc.org.uk |
Emergency / police | 999 (or 101 non-emergency) |
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Apex Up CIC Whistleblowing Policy
Approval and adoption
This Whistleblowing Policy has been approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of Apex Up CIC. It will be reviewed at least every twelve months, and sooner if there is a change in legislation, national or local guidance, or following any relevant incident or learning.
Policy reference | AU-POL-20 |
Version | 1.0 |
Date adopted | 4 June 2026 |
Next review due | 4 June 2027 |
Signed on behalf of the Board of Directors of Apex Up CIC:
Muhammed Zahir
Director, Apex Up CIC
Date: 4 June 2026