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Staff who want to report the abuse of vulnerable clients in their workplaces fear repercussions and victimisation if they do so, according to Rebecca Calcraft from the learning difficulty charity Ann Craft Trust, writes Anabel Unity Sale.

She told delegates in a Community Care Live workshop on whistleblowing about the abuse of adults with learning difficulties that loyalty to colleagues and a lack of knowledge of what constitutes abuse are also barriers.

Calcraft said a good whistleblowing policy contains confidential support systems for the person making the claim, the opportunity for them to remain anonymous and awareness training. She also advised employers should have a named contact that all staff can approach with their concerns.

In January, the Ann Craft Trust began an 18-month long research project into whistleblowing and people with learning difficulties and is currently organising focus groups on the issue. The Bailey Thomas charitable trust provided £45,000 worth of funding for it.

Calcraft said: “Whistleblowing is an emotive issue and we’d like to hear from people who blow the whistle, adult protection co-ordinators and the people who experience
the abuse.”