FOI-010726 - Whistleblowing

Freedom of Information (FOI) Request

Reference Number:

FOI-010726

Fulfilment Date:

22/07/2026

Topic:

Whistleblowing

Request:

1. How many incidences of whistleblowing has Independent Living Fund Scotland recorded in each of the last five financial years (please break down by year, 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, 2025/26)?
2. Does your whistleblowing policy encourage or direct whistleblowers to raise concerns with a "prescribed person" (as defined under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998)? If so, please specify which prescribed person(s) are referenced.
3. Does your whistleblowing policy or process guarantee anonymity to individuals who raise a concern? If so, please provide a copy of the relevant section of the policy addressing this.
4. Does your whistleblowing policy include a non-recrimination or non retaliation provision, protecting whistleblowers from detriment or reprisal as a result of raising a concern? If so, please provide a copy of the relevant section of the policy addressing this.
5. Has your internal whistleblowing policy been subject to any External review, audit, or assessment (by an external body, auditor, regulator, or independent consultant) within the last five years? If so, please provide:
   a. the name of the body/organisation that conducted the review;
   b. the date of the review; and
   c. a copy of any resulting report or summary of findings, subject to any applicable exemptions.

Response:

1.ILF Scotland had no incidences of whistleblowing during 2021/22, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26.

2. ILF Scotland staff are encouraged to raise concerns with the following prescribed persons: Line manager; Chief Operating Officer; Chief Executive Officer; Chair of the Board of Directors; and External Auditors.

3. Section 5 of ILF Scotland’s Whistleblowing Policy relates to Confidentiality. This states: We hope that staff will feel able to voice whistleblowing concerns openly under this policy. However, if you want to raise your concern confidentially, we will make every effort to keep your identity secret. If it is necessary for anyone investigating your concern to know your identity, we will discuss this with you. We do not encourage staff to make disclosures anonymously. Proper investigation may be more difficult or impossible if we cannot obtain further information from you. It is also more difficult to establish whether any allegations are credible and have been made in the public interest. Whistleblowers who are concerned about possible reprisals if their identity is revealed should come forward to the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive or Chair and appropriate measures can then be taken to preserve confidentiality. If you are in any doubt, you can seek advice from Public Concern at Work, the independent whistleblowing charity, who offer a confidential helpline. Their contact details are at the end of this policy.

4. Section 9 of ILF Scotland’s Whistleblowing Policy relates to Protection and Support for Whistleblowers. This states: It is understandable that whistleblowers are sometimes worried about possible repercussions. We aim to encourage openness and will support staff who raise genuine concerns in the public interest under this policy, even if they turn out to be mistaken. Staff must not suffer any detrimental treatment as a result of raising a concern in the public interest. Detrimental treatment includes dismissal, disciplinary action, threats or other unfavourable treatment connected with raising a concern. If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform the Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive or Chair of the Board immediately. If the matter is not remedied you should raise it formally using our Grievance Procedure. Staff must not threaten or retaliate against whistleblowers in any way. Anyone involved in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.

5. (a) Henderson Loggie.
(b) October 2024.
(c) Please refer to Appendix 1.

Appendices

Appendix 1 - Equalities and Diversity Report - 20241002.pdf