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Complaints Handling Policy

Introduction

Al Amanah College values the feedback it receives from staff, parents, the students and the community. Responding to both affirmative and negative feedback demonstrates the School’s commitment to open communication with the School community and general public. Complaints about any aspect of the School’s operations, service or personnel will be handled responsively, openly and in a timely manner, with the aim of resolving any complaint via an articulated process and respecting the confidential nature of such matters. Complaints are treated as constructive suggestions that may be used to improve standards and may prevent cause for further complaint.

Purpose

This policy will:

  • Improve the whole school community level of the satisfaction
  • Recognise, promote and protect stakeholders’ rights, including the right to comment and complain
  • Provide an efficient, fair and accessible mechanism for resolving complaints in accordance with the principles of natural justice
  • Ensure that the complaint handling process is transparent and comprehensive.

Principles

Responsiveness

Complaints need to be resolved openly and responsively. It is expected that all complaints will be acknowledged and resolved in a timely manner. The process and timeframes for resolution will vary depending on the nature, complexity and timing of the issue.

Fairness

The process needs to be fair to both the complainant and the person/s against whom the complaint is being made. All parties must be protected from victimisation, discrimination or retribution. The process shall be based on the principles of natural justice, including the complainant’s right to:

 

Be heard

Have their complaint treated seriously

Be informed of the processes of complaints handling

Be informed of the School’s decision and reasons for that decision

 

The person or section of the School about whom the complaint is made shall have the right to:

 

Be advised of the identity of the complainant and the complaint Collect sufficient detail to enable them to gather information and prepare a response to the complaint Have the opportunity to respond to the person investigating the complaint and have their response taken seriously Be informed of the processes engaged in the complaints handling Be informed of the decision and reason for the decision.

 

It is important that those handling complaints should be independent of the issue of the complaint. If a conflict of interest arises for the staff member involved in the receipt or management of a complaint, the Principal will arrange for an independent staff member to continue with the process and hear the complaint. If the complaint involves the Principal, the Principal will inform the Chair of the Board.

Confidentiality

To protect confidentiality and privacy, staff involved in handling complaints resolution must ensure that information is restricted only to those who genuinely need to know in order to deal with the complaint. Some information about the specific complaint may need to be disclosed to others during its resolution. The complainant needs to be informed of this.

Processes

It is important that the initial process of handling complaints is supportive and utilises positive conflict resolution skills. Each complaint should be treated on the information available and actions that are appropriate to the individual complaint. Anonymous complaints will not be recognised or dealt with under this policy.

Procedure For Raising A Concern Or Making A Complaint

Al Amanah College acknowledges that concerns and issues exist that may be resolved informally without the need to follow a formal complaints process. In such cases complainants are encouraged to initially raise issues or concerns informally with the relevant person at the time of the issue arising. Discussing the issue or concern immediately and face-to-face may clarify the situation and resolve any misunderstandings satisfactorily. In the event that this does not resolve the issue, the complainant should then contact the relevant Senior Staff member. Parents should contact the relevant staff member. If there is still a concern then the person making the complaint should bring it to the attention of the Principal’s Office. Should a complaint be made against the Principal this complaint should be put in writing and addressed to the Chair of the Board. Complaints received by Trustees must be referred to the Chair of the Board, who will discuss the matter/s with the Principal.

 

Positive resolution of a complaint should aim to:

 

Seek resolution at the level at which the complaint is made

Gain agreement of the parties

Consider all relevant information and views of all parties

Consider the School’s policies

 

Management of complaints resolution needs to reflect the following:

 

Complainants should be told the process for complaint resolution and an indication of how long it will take to deal with a complaint Complainants should be kept informed of progress on resolving the complaint where relevant. It is expected that written complaints be acknowledged within 7 days of receipt. The proposed timeframe required to resolve the complaint should be indicated to the complainant as early as possible in the process and may vary according to the nature, complexity or timing of the complaint.

Record Keeping

All complaints that cannot be resolved informally will be recorded by the staff member handling the complaint and kept on the relevant file/s. Details should include:

  • The nature of the complaint
  • Dates and names of parties concerned
  • Staff members involved in handling the complaint
  • Action taken and outcomes