Page 11 - Complaints Policy & Procedures Sep20

8. Complaints out of scope
Some complaints will be outside the scope of this procedure as there are separate statutory procedures to deal with such issues. Please see the table below.
Admissions
Please review the Admissions arrangements for the academy, which can be found on the academy’s website.
Statutory assessments of Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Concerns about statutory assessments of Special Educational Needs should be raised with the Local Authority.
Matters likely to require a Child Protection Investigation
Complaints about child protection matters are handled under our child protection and safeguarding policy and in accordance with relevant statutory guidance. This can be found on the academy’s website.
If you have serious concerns, you may wish to contact the local authority designated officer (LADO) who has local responsibility for safeguarding or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). The contact information can be found on the child protection and safeguarding policy.
Exclusion of children from school
Further information about raising concerns about exclusions is available in the School discipline and exclusion guidance.
Complaints about the application of the behaviour policy can be made through the academy’s complaints procedure.
Whistleblowing
We have an internal whistleblowing procedure for all our employees, including temporary staff and contractors.
The Secretary of State for Education is the prescribed person for matters relating to whistleblowers in education who do not want to raise matters direct with their employer. Referrals can be made at: www.education.gov.uk/contactus.
Volunteer staff who have concerns about our school should complain through the academy’s complaints procedure. You may also be able to complain direct to the Trust or the ESFA (see link above), depending on the substance of your complaint.
Staff grievances
These matters will be addressed under the Trust’s internal grievance procedures.
Staff Conduct and/or Competency Complaints
Complaints about staff will be dealt with under the Trust’s internal personnel procedures, if appropriate.
Complainants will not be informed of any outcomes of the complaint or action taken in relation to a staff member as a result of a complaint. However, the complainant will be notified that the matter is being addressed.
DCAT Complaints Policy and Procedures
September 2020 Page 7 of 18