Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Child Care Solicitors

Government announces NSPCC child protection whistleblowing helpline for employees in children’s services (22 February 2016)

Date: 22/02/2016
Duncan Lewis, Child Care Solicitors, Government announces NSPCC child protection whistleblowing helpline for employees in children’s services

The Home Office minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime, Karen Bradley, has officially launched a new whistleblowing helpline for employees wishing to speak out about child protection failures.

The new national helpline will be run by the NSPCC – and will provide advice to employees who feel unable to raise concerns about suspected child abuse at their place of work.

The NSPCC will deliver the service – which includes a helpline and email support – on behalf of the Home Office.

The Government has provided £500,000 to set up the helpline in this financial year.

The helpline will be open Monday to Friday and will handle calls from employees from any sector, who are afraid to raise concerns about the way their organisation is dealing with cases of child abuse – or who feel they have exhausted all avenues with their employer directly.

Minister for Preventing Abuse, Exploitation and Crime Karen Bradley said:

“The new NSPCC whistleblowing helpline will be a vital service in our fight to end child abuse, including sexual exploitation.

“Every child deserves to be safe from abuse – and organisations that are trusted to protect our children must work as effectively as possible to achieve this.

“Some employers are making great strides in strengthening whistleblowing processes – but more can be done to encourage employees to report malpractice without fear of victimisation, particularly in relation to children where the cost of failure is so high.

“No one should be afraid to report concerns about failures in child protection –
employees will be offered advice about the whistleblowing process and will be legally protected from any future workplace discrimination arising as a result of their concerns.

“Any concerns raised will be passed on to relevant investigatory bodies to pursue.

The new service will also highlight patterns of failure across the country – and the NSPCC will work with authorities to gather information about reports relating to child abuse, in order to identify and address trends at an earlier stage.

NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless said:

“If an employee thinks a child is in danger or has been failed by their organisation, then nothing should stand in the way of them speaking out.

“Too often people with concerns have kept silent because they have been fearful of the consequences for their jobs – and this can have devastating consequences for the children involved.

“A feature of the child abuse scandals of recent years has been people who said they thought something wasn’t right, but were unsure whether they could discuss their concerns confidentially outside their organisation.

“The new whistleblowing helpline is a vital new initiative and will provide a confidential, safe place for anyone who has concerns and wants support or advice.”

The NSPPC-run helpline is available on 0800 028 0285 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.

Duncan Lewis Children Lawyers

Duncan Lewis child lawyers can advise on a wide range of child care matters – including children taken into Local Authority care, Court of Protection cases, Section 38 enquiries and pre-proceedings meetings, and child abuse.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and our family law and child care solicitors are also able to advise on child care arrangements following separation, divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership.

For expert legal advice on family law and child care matters, call Duncan Lewis children lawyers on 0333 772 0409.


For all Child Care related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.