A WHISTLEBLOWER alleged that staff at a West Dunbartonshire Council nursery failed to follow Covid-19 guidance, a report has revealed.

But the complaint was later deemed 'unfounded' after an investigation by officials.

The allegation, made in December last year, claimed that staff from an unnamed nursery run by the local authority had attended a Christmas party night and had mixed with other employees but did not follow Covid-19 guidance.

Employees then tested positive for Covid, and other staff had to isolate while awaiting test results.

But a report to the council's audit committee states: "[The] allegations were unfounded as no Covid-19 regulations or guidance was breached by employees attending a night out and employees followed public health guidance when responding to positive cases.

"The Care Inspectorate were informed and the inspector was satisfied that senior officers followed guidance and applied appropriate action to safeguard children."

The committe heard that the level of whistleblowing for an organisation of the council's size was "relatively small", with 15 complaints made over a 12 month period. 

Members of the committee were presented with a report advising them of the outcomes of investigations into allegations and disclosures at council premises in line with public interest between January 2021 and January 2022.

A disclosure in the public interest is where a concern is raised by a council employee about a danger or illegality that has a public interest aspect to it. 

Labour councillor Martin Rooney said: “This is actually a relatively small amount of complaints for an organisation of our size. It is right that we get them and investigate them.”

SNP councillor Karen Conaghan added: “It is a very low number of complaints reported for an organisation of this size and a very low number go on to be complaints that need to be answered.”

Questions were then asked about why workplace disclosures are particularly low and whether or not staff were confident in the process. 

Chris Johnston, a voluntary member of the committee, said: “Councillor Rooney has said that workplace disclosures are particularly low.

“I believe there are two reasons why there are very few disclosures made. One there is 'not any underlying issue', or two, there is not enough confidence to whistleblow.

“Is there any view in that process through staff surveys?”

Chief executive Joyce White said she had no concerns about the procedures in place for people to raise concerns. 

Ms White said: “I have no concerns that we don’t have an open, transparent culture within this organisation and certainly through the procedures and processes in place, employees are always encouraged to raise issues with their line managers.

“There is nothing I would be concerned about at the moment.”