Speaking Up
Colleagues, pupils and parents and carers are often the first to realise that something doesn’t seem quite right in a learning environment but may worry that if they share their concerns, they could be victimised as a result. They may also think that by speaking up, they are being disloyal to their colleagues or to the school.
EMAT is committed to ensuring that all #EMATters have the ability to raise genuine concerns in good faith without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination or disadvantage, even if they turn out to be mistaken.
EMAT’s Speaking Up culture and policy sets out our commitment to listening to concerns and to escalating these concerns so that they are dealt with effectively in the interests of the Trust and all #EMATters.
If you have a concern, your first point of contact is your line manager or headteacher. However, we appreciate that this is not appropriate in all instances. You can be assured of support with your concerns by contacting:
| EMAT Head of Governance & Compliance | alexandra.rigler@central.emat.uk |
| EMAT Head of People & Culture | vicky.donnelly@central.emat.uk |
Our whistleblowing champion Martin Conlon is an EMAT trustee and chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. He will be leading the board in ensuring whistleblowing receives the profile it deserves.
Martin says: "I want all #EMATters to feel confident in our whistleblowing process and to know that they can speak up openly and safely about actions and behaviours that go against EMAT values, break the law, or breach regulations or policies. The Trust board is fully supportive of the whistleblowing culture at EMAT and encourage all stakeholders to speak to voice any concerns that they may have."
