Whistleblowing policy - guidance from CM's please...

[walkingonthemoon]

Hi all

I thought wrongly that I do not need a whistleblowing policy as I do not have any assistants or employees. However, another childminder has told me that I do as I am out and about interacting with other care givers (CM's, toddler group workers, children's centre staff, etc).

Do other lone CM's have this policy and if you don't mind me asking - how do you approach the wording? I'm just maxed out on paperwork and I'm not thinking straight!

Thanks

Try the bromley childminders site they have policies for everything!!

You don't need one at all. I had my inspection last week and she never asked for one.
i have a safehuarding children policy and a policy for what to do if an allegation is made about me ( which she did want to see).
i don't have one for reporting other people.
( i have other policies of course, just not a huge number of them which was fine by inspector lady)

Hi
Unlike the rest of the childcare industry, not all of our policies need to be written. So provided you are clear on what you would do, you can get by without another sheet of paper. There are prob about 6 policies which are must-have-in written-form.

I don't have a whistle blowing policy. If asked I would just say that I would check with my Local authority rep.

You do need one if you employ anybody and you do need to make sure they are clearly aware of and understand that policy so they can use it if necessary.
If I was out and about however and someone wanted to report any of my practice I wouldn't expect them to tap me on the shoulder first and ask to see my whistleblowing policy. That's daft.

I included within my safeguarding policy that if I saw any bad practice or a child put in any danger by any childcare colleagues that I would report what I had seen to the appropriate person, ie if within the children centre it would need to be reported to the centre manager.