1.0 Purpose and Scope
1.1 The VR成人视频 is committed to the highest standards of integrity, accountability and ethical conduct in all its activities. The purpose of this Policy is to provide a clear framework for Members of the University to report concerns in the public interest about any suspected wrongdoing or risks connected with the University, and to ensure that such concerns are handled by the University appropriately, fairly, and without fear of detriment.
1.2 This Policy supports a culture of openness and accountability, enabling the University to identify, address and learn from issues that may affect individuals, the institution, or the wider public.
1.3 This Policy applies to all members of the University as defined by University Statute 2, including staff, students and any individuals working with or for the University. This includes all external members of the University Council and its committees, other external members of University committees, external examiners and assessors, consultants and contractors, volunteers, Honorary staff and Emeritus Professors/Fellows. This also includes students, who may raise concerns about matters affecting the wider University community, including teaching, research, partnerships, or institutional practices where there is a public interest element. References to students shall also be deemed to include apprentices.
1.4 This Policy applies regardless of whether the concern relates to activities within the UK or overseas, provided there is a connection to the University.
1.5 This Policy does not form part of any employee鈥檚 contract of employment and may be amended at any time.
1.6 The Whistleblowing Procedure provides further information on the handling of whistleblowing disclosures.
2.0 Definitions
2.1 The following definitions apply throughout this Policy and related Procedure and may be used either in capitalised or uncapitalised form.
2.2 Whistleblowing - The disclosure of information which an individual reasonably believes shows wrongdoing or risk in the public interest, in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
2.3 Whistleblower - An individual who raises a concern under this Policy with a reasonable belief that the information disclosed is true and in the public interest.
2.4 Public Interest - A concern that goes beyond an individual鈥檚 personal circumstances and affects, or has the potential to affect, others, the University as an institution, or the wider public. For students, this may include concerns about systemic issues affecting cohorts, academic integrity, fairness in assessment processes, or risks to the wider student community.
2.5 Wrongdoing - Includes (but is not limited to):
- Criminal activity;
- Failure to comply with legal or regulatory obligations;
- Miscarriages of justice;
- Risks to health, safety or wellbeing;
- Environmental damage;
- Financial mismanagement, fraud or corruption;
- Research misconduct;
- Serious breaches of University policies or procedures;
- Abuse of authority;
- Conduct likely to damage the University's reputation or financial standing;
- Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information;
- Negligence where it creates risk of significant harm;
- or deliberate concealment of any of these matters.
3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
3.1 University Council Holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring that effective whistleblowing arrangements are in place.
3.2 Audit & Risk Assurance Committee (ARAC) Provides oversight of the effectiveness of the University鈥檚 whistleblowing arrangements. ARAC receives and scrutinises reports from the Whistleblowing Officer, including anonymised information on themes, risks and actions taken, and provides assurance to Council on the adequacy and effectiveness of those arrangements.
3.3 University Secretary & Registrar (Whistleblowing Officer) Has operational responsibility for this Policy, including receiving disclosures, overseeing initial assessment and handling, ensuring appropriate investigations are commissioned, and reporting assurance to ARAC as well as ensuring that appropriate training is in place for all managers and other staff who may deal with concerns or investigations under this Policy. The University Secretary & Registrar may delegate responsibility for handling of disclosures as set out in section 2.2 of the Whistleblowing Procedure.
3.4 Senior Leaders and Managers Are responsible for fostering an open and supportive culture, escalating whistleblowing concerns appropriately, and ensuring that no individual suffers detriment for raising a concern with a reasonable belief that it is true and in the public interest.
3.5 All Members of the University Community Are encouraged to raise genuine concerns in the public interest responsibly and in accordance with this Policy.
4.0 Policy
4.1 Principles
The University is committed to the following principles in relation to whistleblowing:
- concerns will be taken seriously and assessed promptly;
- disclosures will be handled fairly, consistently and proportionately;
- confidentiality will be respected wherever possible;
- individuals will be protected from retaliation or detriment for raising concerns with a reasonable belief that it is true and in the public interest;
- whistleblowing will be used as a source of organisational learning and improvement.
4.1 Distinction from Other Routes
This Policy is intended for concerns raised in the public interest. Unless a concern has a public interest aspect to it, this Policy is not designed to replace other procedures for:
- personal employment grievances or dignity and respect allegations;
- student complaints or academic appeals;
- disciplinary matters;
- safeguarding or wellbeing concerns.
Where a concern is more appropriately addressed through another procedure, this will be explained and the individual will be supported to access the correct route For example, a student complaint about an individual academic decision would normally be addressed through academic appeals procedures, and an individual employment concern would normally be addressed through grievance procedures. However, concerns about systemic issues, serious misconduct, or unsafe practices affecting multiple individuals may fall within the scope of whistleblowing.
4.3 Raising Whistleblowing Concerns
Concerns may be raised verbally or in writing, openly, confidentially or anonymously. The University encourages members of staff to raise concerns internally with their line manager or another appropriate member of staff in the first instance, but individuals may use the whistleblowing route at any stage. Students may raise concerns via a trusted member of staff, their academic department, Student Support & Safeguarding, the SU Advice & Support Service, or directly through the whistleblowing route. More detail on raising a concern is included within section 3 of the Whistleblowing Procedure.
While the University encourages concerns to be raised internally in the first instance, individuals may also make disclosures to external bodies. The legal protections available to whistleblowers will depend on the circumstances of the disclosure. Individuals are encouraged to seek appropriate advice before making a disclosure externally.
The Whistleblowing Officer will assess any whistleblowing disclosure in accordance with section 5 of the Whistleblowing Procedure and any investigation related to such disclosure will be conducted in accordance with section 7 of the Whistleblowing Procedure.
4.4 Protection for Whistleblowers
The University will not tolerate retaliation or detrimental treatment against any individual who raises a concern with a reasonable belief that it is true and in the public interest under this Policy. Any such behaviour may result in disciplinary action.
Disclosures made with a reasonable belief that it is true and in the public interest will be supported even where they are not upheld. Deliberately false or malicious allegations may result in action under relevant procedures. A person making a disclosure will be made aware of, and actively encouraged to engage with, the support options that are available to them throughout the process.
4.5 Compliance and Monitoring
Compliance with this Policy will be monitored through:
- case oversight by the Whistleblowing Officer;
- anonymised reporting and thematic analysis;
- annual assurance reporting to ARAC.