When you submit an anonymous report, we are unable to contact you to offer support, or provide you with any updates in relation to your report.
Anonymous reporting is important to us, as it allow us to get an understanding of the prevalence of issues within our community. We use anonymous reports to identify broad trends or patterns of behaviour which can be addressed, for example, identifying training needs in a particular area.
There is also evidence to show that when anonymous reporting is offered as an option, people will then be more likely to come forward and submit a named report.
Anonymous reporting is important to us, as it allow us to get an understanding of the prevalence of issues within our community. We use anonymous reports to identify broad trends or patterns of behaviour which can be addressed, for example, identifying training needs in a particular area.
There is also evidence to show that when anonymous reporting is offered as an option, people will then be more likely to come forward and submit a named report.
We appreciate that it can be difficult to understand how we might respond to an anonymous report and this is always assessed on a case-by-case basis, dependent on the information available to us and guided by trauma-informed principles, confidentiality and our legal obligations. Here are some examples to give you an idea of what we can or cannot do depending on what you share with us.
- If we are provided with identifying details of a potential perpetrator, alongside supporting evidence of the allegation (e.g. screenshots, photos), we will assess what action we can take under the relevant procedure (for example, the Conduct and Discipline Regulation, Dignity at Work and Study Policy or Fitness to Practise). We would always need to balance this against the need to protect the anonymity of the reporter.
- In reports where we receive very little information, for example, only a name or a brief outline of allegations, we take steps to information gather to understand if there are any known issues in relation to the individual. If there are no further concerns on record we would be unable to take any further action and would close the report with the outcome "for information". Our system is able to identify when we receive multiple reports about the same individual (even if the reports are submitted years apart), so we are able to keep anonymous reports of this nature under review.
- If we receive a report, which indicates a serious and significant safeguarding concern, for example, information that someone may come to serious harm, we will follow our Safeguarding Policy and if we have enough information to act, we may pass this information to relevant safeguarding agencies for example the police or social services.
If you want advice or support, or you would like to understand how we might act on the information you provide, we strongly encourage you to choose the speak to an adviser option, as this will put you in touch with a specially trained and confidential advisor, who will work with you to address your concerns and support needs.