Assessment of Effectiveness

This assessment considers the policy and practice, based on the detail above.

Policy

• Policy very clear in relation to benefits of raising concerns and encourages individuals to raise concerns
• Policy was developed in line good practice and has been subject to self-assessment with conclusion re alignment to the Whistleblowing Commission Code of Practice and ISO Standards
• Evidence that lessons learned in practice will continue to inform policy development
Practice

• Self-assessments demonstrate alignment with good practice
• Steps have been and are being taken to make improvements based on lessons learned from previous cases and consideration of ISO standards

Training and Awareness

• Current Policy easily accessible
• Training package now in place
• Improved capability and quality assurance process that identifies whether a concern does or doesn’t meet whistleblowing definition irrespective of whether it formally comes through whistleblowing channels

Staff Confidence
• Survey results for SPA Corporate demonstrate high levels of confidence to raise concerns and high levels of knowledge in the process
• New policing staff survey has appropriate questions to ensure measuring of confidence to raise concerns for whole of policing going forward

In summary the SPA whistleblowing arrangements are effective with evidence that steps were taken in 2023/24 to make improvements, with further improvements planned in 2024/25.