Complaints Policy

Complaints Procedure

Voluntary Action Islington aims to provide its members and other service users with the best possible service. However, we recognise that from time to time there may be occasions when users of our services feel that the quality or level of service provided falls short of what they could reasonably expect.

Your continued goodwill is greatly valued by us and we would expect to resolve any day-to-day difficulties or complaints informally and as quickly as possible. In the first instance we would expect you to raise any complaint directly with the member of staff concerned.

The more formal procedure outlined below is intended for use by members and other users of Voluntary Action Islington services, where informal communication has not resolved the problem.

This is what you should do

The complaint should be made either in person, or by telephone, letter or email to the Chief Executive who will acknowledge, in writing within ten working days, the receipt of any complaint. If the complaint is about the Chief Executive, the complaint should be addressed to the Chair (marked ‘confidential’). At this, and any subsequent stage, the complainant may be accompanied or supported by a friend, but not a legal representative.

This is what Voluntary Action Islington will do

The Chief Executive (or Chair) will investigate the circumstances leading to the complaint and will communicate the results of the investigation to the complainant within a reasonable time – normally within 20 working days of the complaint being received. If the complaint is found to be justified, the Chief Executive (or Chair) will agree any necessary further action with the complainant.

The complainant will have the right – if dissatisfied with the results of the enquiry – to put their case, in writing, to an appeal panel of two Trustee Board members, which will include at least one Vice-chair.

If the appeal is found to be justified, the appeal panel will agree any necessary further action with the complainant. The decision of the appeal panel is final and no further appeal is possible.

The Chief Executive (or Chair) will keep the Trustee Board informed of the number and nature of complaints, and the outcomes. They will report to the Board on this at least annually.

Compliments

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It’s valuable when you leave feedback about positive experiences you have had with any of the services we provide. This reassures us and our funders that we are providing efficient and quality services. If you would like to leave some positive feedback and give us a compliment, please get in touch.