Escalation of concerns and incidents
What concerns and incidents must be reported, how to report them and the timelines for response.
Easy Read
This policy is about speaking up when something is wrong.
Everyone must speak up about misconduct, danger or abuse.
Tell your manager or the CEO.
If the problem involves leaders, tell the Chair of the Board.
You can also get peer support, union help or outside advice.
Urgent risks are dealt with within 24 hours.
Other concerns are answered within 3 business days.
They are investigated within 10 business days.
In plain language
Everyone must speak up if they see misconduct, feel unsafe or notice signs of abuse. Report to your manager, the CEO or, if the issue involves leadership, the Chair of the Board. You can also seek peer support, union advocacy or an external advisor. Urgent risks are dealt with within 24 hours. Other concerns are acknowledged within 3 business days and investigated within 10.
Full policy
Section 9: Professional boundaries and safeguarding
Boundaries protect both people and the integrity of our work. This section sets out expectations for professional conduct, client interaction, and safeguarding protocols, particularly when working with vulnerable groups or in community facing roles.
Policy statement
Silence enables harm. All staff and collaborators are responsible for raising concerns, whether they witness misconduct, feel unsafe, or observe signs of abuse or exploitation.
What to report
- Breaches of professional boundaries
- Any form of abuse, grooming, coercion, or exploitation
- Unsafe work conditions or risk of harm to self or others
- Misuse of authority or breach of safeguarding protocols
How to report
- Raise the concern with your direct manager, the CEO, or the Chair of the Board (if the issue involves leadership)
- Use the encrypted incident report form on the staff portal
- Seek peer support, union advocacy, or an external advisor as needed
Response timeline
- Immediate risks will be triaged and addressed within 24 hours.
- Non urgent matters will be acknowledged within 3 business days and investigated within 10.
- All reports are logged in the secure internal incident register and inform continuous policy review.
Application
Applies to all personnel and settings. This policy supports early reporting, restorative practices, and firm accountability depending on the nature of the issue.
- Status
- Under review
- Version
- 2.0
- Last updated
- 14 May 2025
- Effective date
- 14 May 2025
- Review date
- March 2027
- Owner
- CEO, Just Gold