Say So Director Paul Adams explains how the independent reporting system is helping care home operators.

Stage 1 – Your information

The information you provide is important to Say So and it is vital that we understand exactly what your concern is all about. Please complete the information fields as fully as possible.

Stage 2 – Your identity and contact details

You have 3 options in this section.

• You can fully and openly identify yourself. This means that your name and other details will be shared with your employer.
• You can provide your details confidentially to Say So. This means that Say So will not release your details to anyone without your written and verifiable permission or unless ordered to do so by a Judge. In such rare cases, however, Say So will make legal representations and argument against release of any identifying details of a reporter. Say So will not release your details if served with a Data Protection Act request.
• You can pass to Say So the information about your workplace concern totally anonymously. Say So pledge never to try to identify any anonymous reporter.

Important Note.

Huge advances have been made to encourage and accommodate workers who report failures in service and major wrongdoing across all industries. In particular, the NHS and the banking and finance world are leading the way to provide the right circumstances and culture within companies for staff to report matters of concern. The CQC obligates care providers to have a robust and effective ‘whistleblowing’ policy that specifically mentions the merits of a reporting service that is independent from the care provider.

It should be remembered that the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 provides protection to persons reporting in good faith and in reasonable belief any of the following:

1. that a criminal offence has been, is being or is likely to be committed,
2. that a person has failed, is failing or is likely to fail to comply with any legal obligation to which they are subject,
3. that a miscarriage of justice has occurred, is occurring or is likely to occur
4. that the health or safety of any individual has been, is being or is likely to be endangered
5. that the environment has been, is being or is likely to be damaged
6. that information tending to show any of these matters above has been, is being or is likely to be deliberately concealed

The protection extends to an employer ensuring ‘no detriment’ is experienced by the person reporting done on the ground that they have made a protected disclosure. Say So will provide support to any reporter who experiences difficulties after making such a disclosure using our service in good faith so that they are protected by this legislation.

Stage 3 - Your declaration by submitting the report

We ask that you fully understand that by pressing the on-screen button to finally submit your completed report you are declaring that the information is provided in good faith and that you believe it to be true to the best of your knowledge.