Complaints Procedure
Introduction
Radford Semele Community Hall Management Committee is committed to maintaining its strong partnership with members of the local community and the users of Radford Semele Community Hall.
We are open to feedback and comments about our work, both positive and negative, as these can provide us with valuable information about our effectiveness and how we can better meet our aims.
If any user of Radford Semele Community Hall or members of the local community is unhappy about the standard of service provided, the quality of the facilities within the Hall, the safety of users, the handling of a particular situation or issue, or any other matter, Radford Semele Community Hall Committee would wish to work to rectify this.
Radford Semele Community Hall Management Committee is equal to opportunities and we take complaints about discrimination very seriously. The adoption of a clear complaints’ procedure will help the Radford Semele Community Hall Management Committee to ensure that most complaints are resolved quickly and smoothly and as close to the source of the misunderstand or problem as possible.
Our policy is intended to
- Provide a transparent and fair complaints procedure which is clear and easy to use for anyone wishing to make a complaint.
- Publicise the existence of our complaints procedure so that people know how to contact us to make a complaint.
- Make sure everyone at Radford Semele Community Hall Management Committee knows what to do if a complaint is received
- Make sure all complaints are investigated fairly and in a timely way.
- Make sure that complaints are, wherever possible, resolved quickly and that relationships remain healthy, so all our users benefit.
- Gather information which helps use to improve what we do.
Complaints, Confidentiality and Responsibility
Definition of a complaint
A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not, about any aspect of Radford Semele Community Hall. The Committee expects it will hear about a complaint within three months of any incident.
Where complaints come from
Complaints may come from members of the public or persons and organizations using the hall, local residents or suppliers or their representative, with your permission. A complaint can be received verbally, face to face or by ‘phone (in which case we will keep a note of your complaint), by email or by letter.
Confidentiality Assured
All complaints will be handled sensitively and confidentially, telling only those who need to know and we will follow any relevant data protection requirements.
The Trustees will not discriminate in any way in their dealings with handling complaints.
Whoever you speak to regarding your complaint, they will be respectful, calm and listen to your complaint. We will take notes to record the facts so that we can deal with your complaint. We may seek clarification on some details in order to help you more effectively.
Once we have listened to your complaint, we will repeat this back to you to ensure we have understood this correctly. We will also ask what a successful resolution would look like from your point of view.
Responsibility
Overall responsibility for this policy and its implementation lies with Radford Semele Community Hall Management Committee. The Committee aims to acknowledge complaints within five working days and give a full response to complainants within fourteen days. If the complaint is judged to involve complex issues, complainants will be informed within fourteen days when they can expect a full response. The main aim through the process is to resolve the matter as quickly and effectively as possible to everybody’s satisfaction.
Procedure for Handling Complaints
What to do if something goes wrong: Step 1 – Information
Informal complaints should be raised with the Chairperson, or any member of the Management Committee. The relevant contact details can be found on the website. Complainants who remain dissatisfied at this stage will be informed that they have the opportunity to make a formal complaint.
If we cannot address your concerns right away: Step 2 – Formal
Sometimes even prompt action cannot put right something you might be dissatisfied about. In these circumstances, please put your concerns in writing (post it through the Community Hall letterbox) or via email, all the facts related to the complaint, your name, address, telephone number and email address so we might contact you in the way that suits you best. Your relationship with Radford Semele Community Hall, eg hall user, hirer, local resident etc.
Once we have received your complaint and all the related details, we will first acknowledge your complaint within five working days or sooner. We will take steps to speak to any other party involved to ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to put their perspective forward. Where we have to gather information, which may take time, we will do so and respond to you not later than four weeks after receiving your complaint. If your complaint is complex, we will agree a timescale with you that may be longer than this, sharing the steps required so everyone understands why this is necessary. It is important that in any correspondence that you quote the reference provided. In responding to your complaint, we will share with you what action we have taken, the conclusions we have reached from any investigation and any action resulting from your complaint.
Policy implemented July 2021
Last Review: July 2024
Next Review: July 2025
Signed: J Malin Chairperson