Report Summary
This report provides members of the Scottish Police Authority's Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee with an overview of the effectiveness of whistleblowing arrangements within the Scottish Police Authority.
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Meeting
The publication discussed was referenced in the meeting below
Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee - 14 August 2025
Date : 14 August 2025
Location : online
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 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
• Earlier survey results for SPA Corporate demonstrate high levels of confidence to raise concerns and high levels of knowledge in the process.
• Your Voice Matters survey has appropriate question to ensure measuring of confidence to raise concerns for whole of policing going forward.
In summary the current SPA whistleblowing arrangements are considered effective. Further improvements will be considered over 2025/26.
