How to Raise a Civil Service Protected Disclosure

Check your department’s current raising concerns or whistleblowing policy. It should explain internal contacts, nominated officers, confidentiality arrangements and escalation routes. A Civil Service Code concern may also involve the department’s code contacts or the Civil Service Commission. Specialist concerns may need a security, safeguarding, fraud or regulatory route.

Prepare the information before sending it

Write a one-paragraph summary first. State the suspected wrongdoing, the period involved, who or what may be affected and why you believe the concern has a wider public-interest impact. Then build the supporting chronology and evidence index.

Separate direct observation, documents, information reported by another person and your own inference. Do not describe an allegation as proven where an investigation has not taken place. A precise account is stronger than an angry one.

Use the correct department route

Follow the authorised internal route where it is safe and appropriate. Keep a copy of the policy version and record the date, recipient and method used. Ask for acknowledgement and confirmation of the handling route. If the person named in the policy is involved in the concern, use the alternative or escalation contact.

External disclosure rules can be more demanding. Do not assume that sending the concern to the media, a general public body or an unrelated organisation gives the same protection. Seek legal or specialist advice before using an external route where the position is uncertain.

Act quickly where there is immediate risk

Where there is immediate danger, serious security risk, safeguarding concern, suspected criminal activity or a threat to evidence, use the appropriate urgent route. State the risk clearly and identify any protective action already taken. Do not remove or circulate restricted material in an attempt to prove the concern.