National Bullying Helpline criticises Charity Commission investigation 4

Governance | Vibeka Mair | 9 Jun 2010

Christine Pratt, chief executive of the National Bullying Helpline (NBH), has criticised the Charity Commission’s investigation into its operations, calling the regulator’s processes “far from fair, open and transparent”.

The Commission opened a statutory investigation into NBH in February following complaints that the charity had breached the confidentiality of its beneficiaries after Pratt claimed in television interviews that No.10 Downing Street staff had called the charity's helpline. Her revelation came after accusations in the press that Gordon Brown had bullied civil servants.

In a letter to NBH’s supporters this month seen by Civil Society, Pratt condemned the ongoing Charity Commission investigation, complaining that the regulator did not appear to be taking on positive messages of support about the charity:

“They go over old ground repeatedly,” wrote Pratt, “and probe deeper and deeper into seemingly irrelevant aspects of our day-to-day operations.

"Their processes (in our view) are far from fair, open and transparent. Nevertheless, we continue to respond and co-operate even though we have no idea who has complained, what has been said and what direction questioning will take. We have no idea how long the process will last or when/where it will end."

The letter also says NBH has appointed new trustees and a new firm of accountants and has received around 500 letters and emails of support, as well as a number of donations.

“We have received a few unsolicited donations,” wrote Pratt, “one from an anonymous well wisher incorporating the message ‘Well done for standing up to the bullies’….So, to those competitor charities who said we had committed professional suicide – I don’t think so!”

Pratt also said that NBH will be introducing a membership package, costing £5 a month.

Pratt refused to comment on the contents of the letter and the Charity Commission also declined to comment.

Directory: Charity Commission

Place a comment

PS Siu
Fundraiser
RNS
10 Jun 2010

It seems all 160 complaints relate to this one incident. The NBH is probably guilty of veering off its own best-practice guidelines or fudging them (it didn't name names, but told of place of work, which would initiate a witch-hunt for those who used the helpline), but to infer anything from this incident but that it ruffled vindictive or embarrassed feathers is to distract from the good work that it does.

Do not lose sight of the causal issue - There was bullying in the Brown administration. 'Somebody' was using thier position to escape the consequences of physically or psychologically abusing those under him, whilst senior cohorts parroted "niceman niceman niceman". CP found herself in a difficult position and made a correct moral choice, knowing there'd be consequences.

[Reply]

Charity Worker
Volunteer
Charity sector
12 Jun 2010
Response to [ PS Siu]

Unfortunately Siu no evidence was put forward by the National Bullying Helpline that anyone in the Brown administration had bullied anyone. Mrs Pratt got involved with the publicist Max Clifford who told her she needed to stand up her allegations but she didn't do that.

What she did say was that some of these allegations had come from the deputy prime minister's office - however, it was pointed out to her in a TV interview that this particular office ceased to exist some years earlier.

Given that the NBH has a long list of public sector and private firms it has worked for on its website, it will be interesting to read the Charity Commission's final report to find out on what basis charity help was provided to them. It doesn't appear to have been a very profitable relationship as far as the charity is concerned.

[Reply]

Charity Worker
volunteer
Not given
10 Jun 2010

If the CEO Christine Pratt doesn't understand what the Charity Commission is doing, during a statutory investigation into the affairs of the National Bullying Helpline, then a statement by Andrew Hind, the CC chief executive may help her.
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/library/about_us/paper10obm08.pdf

Mr Hind said there were 160 concerns and complaints about the National Bullying Helpline earlier this year. That's rather serious isn't it?

Would have thought a period of quiet reflection at this charity might have been a good idea after the media problems it had earlier this year.

The Charity Commission made an order preventing the transmission or disclosure of information without permission. Can't see the CC being pleased at Mrs Pratt's remarks.

[Reply]

PS Siu
Fundraiser
RNS
10 Jun 2010

Overseeing organisation all heavy handed, possibly employing bullying tactics, and possibly taking matters personally on behalf of a third party?

(N?)ever so!

[Reply]

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