Whistleblowing Policy

National Alliance of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (NACP)
Effective: January 2025

1. Purpose

The NACP is committed to fostering a culture of openness, accountability, and integrity. This policy provides a safe and transparent mechanism for individuals to raise concerns about serious wrongdoing, malpractice, or unethical behaviour without fear of reprisal.

Whistleblowing plays a vital role in safeguarding clients, maintaining public trust, and upholding the professional standards of our membership body.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • NACP members (all categories)
  • Supervisors, trainers, advisors, and contractors
  • Clients and members of the public
  • NACP staff and volunteers

It covers disclosures related to:

  • Serious breaches of professional conduct or ethics
  • Danger to client safety or wellbeing
  • Criminal acts or legal violations
  • Financial impropriety, fraud, or corruption
  • Discrimination, harassment, or abuse
  • Breaches of NACP policy that may bring the organisation or profession into disrepute

3. What Is Whistleblowing?

Whistleblowing is the reporting of serious concerns that are in the public or professional interest, rather than individual grievances. It differs from complaints or disputes between two parties — which should be addressed via the Complaints Procedure unless they involve serious risk or misconduct.

4. How to Raise a Concern

You can raise a concern by contacting:

📧 whistleblowing@nacp.co.uk
Or by writing to:
The Chair, NACP Whistleblowing Panel
128 City Road, London, United Kingdom, EC1V 2NX

You should include:

  • Your name and contact details (anonymous reports may be considered but are harder to investigate)
  • A clear explanation of the issue and relevant context
  • Any evidence or witness details (if available)

All reports will be acknowledged within 5 working days and handled with confidentiality and care.

5. How We Will Respond

Once a concern is received:

  • It will be assessed by the Whistleblowing Panel (comprising senior representatives, including the Chair and an Advisory Board member)
  • If the concern is substantiated or requires further investigation, a plan will be initiated
  • Where appropriate, relevant parties will be notified (e.g. safeguarding authorities, police, legal advisors)
  • You may be contacted for further information, and kept informed of the investigation’s progress

A summary of the outcome will be shared with the whistleblower, unless doing so would breach confidentiality or legal protocols.

6. Protection and Support

The NACP is committed to protecting whistleblowers from retaliation or disadvantage.

You will not be penalised for:

  • Raising concerns in good faith
  • Refusing to be complicit in unethical conduct
  • Cooperating with an investigation

Any member or representative found to have victimised or retaliated against a whistleblower will be subject to disciplinary action.

7. Confidentiality

All whistleblowing reports will be handled in strict confidence. Your identity will only be shared with those who need to know in order to investigate or respond to the concern — and only with your consent wherever possible.

Anonymous reports may be accepted but could limit the scope of investigation.

8. False or Malicious Allegations

While we encourage openness, knowingly making a false, malicious, or vexatious disclosure is a serious matter. Such actions may result in disciplinary action or, where applicable, legal consequences.

9. Review and Oversight

This policy is reviewed annually, or in response to changes in law, best practice, or organisational need. Oversight is held by the Chair of the NACP Advisory Board.

📩 Contact

To report a concern or seek guidance before making a disclosure:
📧 whistleblowing@nacp.co.uk
🔗 www.nacp.co.uk