Whistleblowers
Your insider knowledge can help expose systemic failures and protect families. Speaking up about wrongdoing within CMS is both protected by law and vital for reform.
If you work within DWP, CMS, or related services and have witnessed harmful practices, your testimony could be crucial for reform. You are protected by law from retaliation.
Key Areas of Concern for CMS Whistleblowing
Fairness and Accuracy of Assessments
Concerns about how child maintenance assessments are calculated and applied. This includes systematic miscalculations, ignored evidence, or deliberate manipulation of figures that disadvantage families.
Compliance with Regulations
Issues related to whether the CMS is following relevant laws and regulations. This could include breaches of data protection, failure to follow statutory procedures, or ignoring legal requirements for welfare assessments.
Handling of Payments and Arrears
Problems with the collection and distribution of child maintenance payments. This includes mishandling of funds, incorrect arrears calculations, or enforcement actions taken without proper assessment.
Safeguarding Children
Concerns about the potential impact of CMS decisions on children's wellbeing. This includes decisions that ignore child welfare, create poverty, or exacerbate family conflict to the detriment of children.
How to Raise Concerns Within DWP or CMS
Consult your department's whistleblowing policy
This outlines the specific procedures and contacts for raising concerns within your organization.
Contact your manager or a designated officer
This is often the first step in the process, though you can bypass this if you have concerns about reprisals.
Seek advice from a trade union representative
If you're a union member, they can provide support and guidance throughout the process.
Contact an external body
If you're not comfortable raising concerns internally, you can contact a prescribed person or body, or seek advice from organizations like Protect - Speak up stop harm
Connect Confidentially
Have insider knowledge? Join our mailing list and indicate you're a potential whistleblower. Your details remain confidential and you control what you share.
Join as Potential Whistleblower