Whistleblowing report 2023-24
Published 31 October 2024
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2024
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Number and outcome of workers’ whistleblowing disclosures
Between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024, the regulator processed and concluded on 40 referrals which we considered qualifying disclosures about matters relating to the regulation of registered providers of social housing in England (disclosures).
| Number of disclosures received in 2023-24 and subject to initial review (inc. 8 cases carried forward from prior disclosure periods) | 40 |
|---|---|
| Number of disclosures referred for more detailed consideration in 2023-24 | 19 |
| Number of disclosures investigated | 17 |
| Number of disclosures resulting in or contributing to regulatory action | 0 |
Summary of the action taken
All the disclosures received were subject to an initial review by our Referrals and Regulatory Enquiries team who considered whether the matters raised were within our remit and whether they represented a possible breach of our regulatory standards. As a result, 19 cases were referred through our internal processes for more detailed consideration.
Of the 19 cases subject to a detailed consideration, 2 were issues the regulator was already aware of and the information was used as further intelligence in the on-going cases. We went on to investigate 17 cases, as they demonstrated a potential failure to meet the regulatory standards or an issue which required regulatory intervention.
There were 8 cases brought forward from 2022-23.
In each of the 17 cases that were investigated, we contacted the registered provider and sought their response to the issues raised. In some of these cases, we also asked the whistle blower for further information or evidence to substantiate the allegations.
For 12 of the cases which we closed in 2023-24 following our investigation, we obtained assurance from the registered provider that it was aware of the issues raised and was responding appropriately, taking action to manage and mitigate any risks arising as a result. In closing the cases at this stage, we were satisfied that there had not been a failure to meet our regulatory standards and that tenants were not at risk as a result of the matters raised.
In the remaining 5 cases, the whistleblower information has been considered and formed part of our regulatory intelligence informing on-going provider engagement. Currently no regulatory action is being taken against a registered provider in the form of the publication of a Regulatory Notice or Regulatory Judgement as a direct result of whistleblowing. Where we conclude that a registered provider is not meeting our regulatory standards, we will engage with them intensively as they take action to resolve the issues. We work with the providers as they developed plans to remedy any failure to meet the standards and continue to hold them to account for delivering those plans.