Victimisation prevents staff whistleblowing

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.”