Last reviewed on 11 April 2022
Statutory/mandatory for: Academies Free schools

Academies are required to have a whistle-blowing policy. Understand the requirements, find out how to review your policy, and use our model as a guide for what good looks like.

Requirements for academies

In addition to having this policy, and publishing it on your website, your trust:

  • Should appoint at least 1 trustee and 1 member of staff who other staff can contact to report concerns
  • Must make sure all staff are aware of the procedures and how concerns will be managed
  • Must make sure all concerns are responded to in a fair and proper way

Staff should know:

  • What protections are available to them if they report someone
  • What areas of malpractice or wrongdoing are covered by the whistle-blowing policy
  • Who they can approach to report a concern

This is set out in the Academy Trust Handbook (pages 30 to 31).

Model policy

It's been approved by Forbes Solicitors, and is designed for your senior