ADL Sports Management
Complaints & Whistleblowing Policy
How to raise a service complaint, or report serious wrongdoing in confidence.
Statement of Intent
ADL is committed to conducting all international trials, showcases, pathways, and scholarship operations with transparency, integrity, and accountability. This policy provides two distinct avenues for raising issues: a Complaints Procedure for participants, parents, carers, or external parties seeking resolution for service dissatisfaction, and a Whistleblowing Policy for staff, coaches, chaperones, or volunteers seeking to disclose severe wrongdoing, illegal acts, or gross safeguarding failures in good faith without fear of retaliation.
Part A: Complaints Procedure
Applies to operational dissatisfaction, policy breaches, communication failures, or unfair treatment regarding international tours and trials (safeguarding disclosures follow the Safeguarding Policy instead). A three-stage resolution process applies:
- —Stage 1, Informal (target 48 hours) - discuss directly with the Tour Manager or Lead Coach on-site.
- —Stage 2, Formal written complaint (target 7 working days) - submit to complaints@adlsportsmanagement.com; an independent investigation is conducted, followed by a formal written response.
- —Stage 3, Board review (target 14 working days) - if still unresolved, the file is escalated to the ADL Board of Directors for a final decision.
Part B: Whistleblowing Policy
Protects internal workers who report serious concerns involving unlawful conduct, gross negligence, severe financial malpractice, or systemic safeguarding failures. Workers making a qualifying disclosure in good faith are legally protected against dismissal, disciplinary action, or victimisation. Identity is kept strictly confidential unless disclosure is required by law; anonymous reports are investigated, though named disclosures allow for more thorough inquiries.
Whistleblowing Process
- —Submit a confidential written report to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Board.
- —An independent investigation and action plan is initiated within 5 working days.
- —Internal resolution leads to systemic corrections or disciplinary action; a statutory matter is escalated to police, the DBS, or an external regulatory body.
External Escalation Contacts
- —Safeguarding / Child Protection - NSPCC Whistleblowing Helpline: 0800 028 0285 / help@nspcc.org.uk
- —Data Protection / GDPR - Information Commissioner's Office: 0303 123 1113 / ico.org.uk
- —Financial / Fraud - Action Fraud UK: 0300 123 2040 / actionfraud.police.uk