COBIS Whistleblowing Policy

COBIS takes whistleblowing seriously and wants to encourage a trusting and supportive environment for our colleagues and anyone working for us. As part of this, we want to ensure that colleagues feel able to speak up when they suspect wrongdoing (whistleblowing).

COBIS sets out clear guidelines for its employees, volunteers and sub-contractors in its Whistleblowing policy, contained in the COBIS Staff Handbook.

Concerns relating to our Members

COBIS is a membership association which provides a range of services and support to our school members and supporting associates. We do not have a regulatory role and are unable to get involved in the running of our member organisations.

Our Whistleblowing Policy relates to employees of COBIS and anyone working for us (employee, volunteer or sub-contractor). If your concern relates to one of our member schools or supporting associates, this does not constitute whistleblowing and should be raised directly with that member school or supporting associate either as a complaint or via the member school or supporting associate’s own procedures in the first instance. Please note that many schools and supporting associates will have their own procedures through which you can raise your concern.

You may raise it with COBIS who may decide to approach a school or supporting associate if we receive complaints or questions about their operations that may be in violation with COBIS’s Code of Ethical Conduct, particularly if the concern relates to safeguarding. Depending on the nature of a concern regarding a member school or supporting associate, we may be able to signpost you to another organisation or agency who can provide support.

Updated November 2024