Avalon Surveyors Ltd wants anyone who works for or with the practice to feel able to raise a concern about wrongdoing, without fear of reprisal. This policy explains what to raise, how to raise it and how it will be handled.
Scope
The policy applies to everyone who works for the practice, and to subconsultants, contractors and others working with us. It covers concerns in the public interest, including:
- a criminal offence, including fraud, bribery or theft;
- a danger to anyone’s health or safety;
- damage to the environment;
- a failure to meet a legal or professional obligation, including the RICS Rules of Conduct;
- a miscarriage of justice; or
- the deliberate concealment of any of these.
Personal grievances about someone’s own employment are dealt with separately. Clients with a complaint about our service should use our Complaints Handling Procedure.
How to raise a concern
- Raise it with the Director, in person, by telephone or in writing.
- If the concern involves the Director, raise it with the practice’s Responsible Principal.
- You do not need proof, only a reasonable belief that something is wrong.
What happens next
We will acknowledge the concern within five working days, look into it fairly and promptly, and keep it confidential as far as we can. We will tell the person who raised it the outcome, as far as our duties of confidentiality to others allow.
Protection
No one will suffer any detriment for raising a genuine concern in good faith, even if it turns out to be mistaken. Workers who make a protected disclosure are protected by law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Raising a concern outside the practice
If raising a concern internally is not appropriate, or has not resolved it, it can be taken to a prescribed person or body, such as RICS Regulation, the Health and Safety Executive or the Information Commissioner’s Office. The charity Protect gives free, confidential advice on whistleblowing.
Responsibilities
The Director is responsible for this policy and keeps a confidential record of concerns raised and their outcomes.
Monitoring and review
We review this policy every year, and sooner if the law or our circumstances change.
Related policies
Approved by the Director of Avalon Surveyors Ltd. Last reviewed: October 2026. Next review: October 2027.