- • Police • Police
- • Professional Association or Body • Professional Association or Body

If any of the above receive an allegation, they will consider the allegation and may discuss with either the CEO or others with authority in the organisation (where appropriate). After consideration, the matter will discuss with the whistle-blower and if they wish to proceed, the allegation will be investigated.

### Allegation

Whether a written or oral report is made it is important that relevant information is provided including:

- • name of the person making the allegation and a contact point. • name of the person making the allegation and a contact point.
- • background and history of the allegation (giving relevant dates and names and positions of • background and history of the allegation (giving relevant dates and names and positions of those who may be in a position to have contributed to the allegation);
- • specific reason for the allegation. Although someone making an allegation will not be expected • specific reason for the allegation. Although someone making an allegation will not be expected to prove the truth of any allegations, they will need to provide information to the person they have reported to, to establish that that there are reasonable grounds for the allegation.

Someone making an allegation may be accompanied by another person of their choosing during any meetings or interviews in connection with the allegation. However, if the matter is subsequently dealt with through another procedure the right to be accompanied will at that stage be in accordance with the relevant procedure.

### Action on Receipt of an Allegation

The line manager will record details of the allegation gathering as much information as possible, (within 5 working days of receipt of the allegation) including:

- • record of the allegation: • record of the allegation:
- • acknowledgement of the allegation; • acknowledgement of the allegation;
- • documents supplied by the whistle-blower • documents supplied by the whistle-blower

The investigator will ask the whistle-blower for his/her preferred means of communication and contact details and use these for all communications with the whistle-blower in order to preserve confidentiality. If the allegation relates to fraud, potential fraud or other financial irregularity the Treasurer will be informed within 5 working days of receipt of the allegation. The Treasurer will determine whether the allegation should be investigated and the method of investigation. If the allegation discloses evidence of a criminal offence it will immediately be reported to the Board of Trustees and a decision will be made as to whether to inform the Police. If the allegation concerns suspected harm to children, the appropriate authorities will be informed immediately. If the issue is around suspected harm to vulnerable adults, the Safeguarding Policy and Bullying and Harassment Policy should also be referred to.

### Timetable

- • the allegation in writing within 10 working days with • the allegation in writing within 10 working days with
- o indication of how the Coaching & Mentoring Services (UK) Ltd propose to deal with the o indication of how the Coaching & Mentoring Services (UK) Ltd propose to deal with the matter
- o estimate of how long it will take to provide a final response o estimate of how long it will take to provide a final response
- o indication of whether any initial enquiries have been made o indication of whether any initial enquiries have been made
- o on whistle-blower support mechanisms o on whistle-blower support mechanisms

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