The charity has said it will take 'the severest available disciplinary action' against staff who have been found to have behaved in a discriminatory manner

Barnardo's has revealed the results of an investigation into claims of racism within its fundraising department.

Formal independent disciplinary investigation against a number of staff has now been launched, after the concluded that the department’s leadership had failed to address racism and racially motivated behaviour.

The investigation was conducted last year, following complaints received by the charity.

A Barnardo's spokesperson said: "In 2020, allegations of racism, racially motivated behaviour, and associated failures of management within the fundraising department of Barnardo’s were received. As a result, Barnardo’s instigated an externally led independent investigation.

"The investigation was given the full support and assistance of the leadership team and access to all relevant colleagues, and documentation. Now concluded, the investigation found evidence of racist and discriminatory behaviour within the fundraising department and a failure of the department’s leadership to adequately address a culture that engendered this behaviour. We will ensure the severest available disciplinary action is taken where evidence against particular individuals is clear, and our internal investigations are actively looking into this. Some colleagues are under formal independent disciplinary investigation.

"Barnardo’s does not condone racist and discriminatory behaviour, and this independent and thorough investigation was conducted expressly because we take any allegations of such behaviour extremely seriously.

"In line with Barnardo’s ongoing commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation, we will be acting on a number of clear recommendations set out for the fundraising department and where appropriate, for the wider charity as a result of this report."

The Charity Commission has confirmed it has received a serious incident report from the charity.