Whistleblowing

Please provide the following information:

1. Please identify the number of ‘nominated officers’ in your organisation (identified in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the Civil Service Code), please also indicate the level of seniority or grade of the individual(s). 

2. If the nominated officer(s) have another role within the organisation, please provide a general indication of what this role is (for example welfare or pastoral).

3. Whether concerns raised regarding alleged breaches of the Civil Service Code (either to a line manager or to a departmental nominated officer as per paragraphs 17 and 18 of the Civil Service Code) within your organisation are tracked/ monitored/ recorded centrally by your organisation. 

4. Details of the number of individuals who have contacted the nominated officers in your organisation between the years 2005- 2010. 

i. Please provide details of whether each individual contacted the nominated officer on an anonymous, confidential, or self identified basis and a brief summary of the types of concerns raised and the action taken.

 ii.    Please indicate whether the nominated officer referred the matter to the Civil Service Commission or to a regulatory or enforcement organisation.

iii.      Please identify (if appropriate) whether any subsequent action was taken. 

Thank you for your e-mail dated 16th December 2011.  I confirm Ordnance Survey does hold the information you have requested and we respond to each of your questions in turn.

1. We have two nominated officers:

Head of HR

Head of Risk and Assurance

Both are senior managers within Ordnance Survey who can take an independent view of any concerns raised. They will maintain a confidential record of all concerns raised and ensure that all concerns are dealt with consistently.

2. Both Senior managers have additional, fulltime line management roles for:

·         Human Resources

·         Audit, Risk & Assurance

3.Concerns raised are logged, tracked, investigated and reports retained centrally by Ordnance Survey.

4.Only one individual made contact and raised a concern during this period.

4i. Anonymous contact, concern over abuse of Gifts & Hospitality policy and the individual was subject to an investigation and disciplinary action.

4 ii. Not required in this case

4 iii. The only subsequent action was to re-enforce/refresh awareness of the Gifts and Hospitality policy to all staff.

Your enquiry has been processed according to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. As all the requested information has been provided, we have determined that in all the circumstances of this case the Public interest consideration (section 17 FOIA) is not applicable in this instance.

If you are unhappy with our response, you may raise an appeal to our Appeals Officer at:

FOI Appeals Officer
Customer Service Centre
Ordnance Survey
Adanac Drive
SOUTHAMPTON
SO16 0AS

Please include the reference number below. The Appeals Officer will ensure that the process has been followed correctly, questioning any decisions taken regarding the original response and recommending disclosure of additional information if appropriate.

Thank you for your enquiry.

Reference number: FOI11243/December 2011