Kilbarron National School

Parental Complaints Policy

 Procedures for Dealing with Parental Complaints

Introduction

Only those complaints about teachers that are written and signed by parents/guardians of pupils will be investigated formally by the Board of Management, except where those complaints are deemed by the Board to be:

• On matters of professional competence and which are referred to the Department of Education and Science
• Frivolous or vexatious complaints and complaints which do not impinge on the work of a teacher in a school; or
• Complaints in which either party has recourse to law or to another existing procedure.

Unwritten complaints not in the above categories may be processed informally as set out in Stage 1 of this procedure.

Stage 1 – Informal

1. Parent/Guardian should approach Teacher.
2. If the matter is unresolved Parent/Guardian should approach the Principal.
3. If the matter is unresolved Parent/Guardian should approach the Chairperson of the Board of Management.

Stage 2 – Informal

1. If the matter is unresolved Parent/Guardian should lodge the complaint in writing to Chairperson Board of Management.
2. The Chairperson will speak to Teacher re. precise nature of complaint and will seek to resolve the matter within 5 school days of receiving the written complaint.

Stage 3 – Formal

1. The Chairperson will give the Teacher a copy of the written complaint.
2. The Chairperson will arrange a meeting with the Teacher, and Principal if applicable, to seek a resolution. This meeting must take place within 10 school days of receiving the written complaint.

 Stage 4 – Formal

1. The Chairperson will make a formal report to the Board of Management. This report must be made within 10 days of the Stage 3 meeting. The names of Teacher, Parent/Guardian or child will not be used in this report.
2. If the Board of Management considers that the complaint is not substantiated it will inform the Parents/Guardians and Teacher of its decision within 3 days of the Board meeting.
3. If the Board considers that the complaint is substantiated  then:

         I. The Teacher will be informed that the investigation is proceeding to the next stage.

       II. The Teacher will be supplied with a copy of any written evidence in support of the complaint.

      III. The Teacher will be requested to supply a written statement to the Board in response to the complaint.

       IV. The Teacher will be afforded an opportunity to make a presentation of case to the Board. The Teacher will be entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting.

        V. The Board of Management may arrange a meeting with the complainant if it considers such to be required. The complainant will be entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting.

        VI.  The Board of Management meeting(s) with the Teacher and Parents/Guardians will take place within 10 days of the Stage 3 meeting.

Stage 5 – Formal

1. The Board of Management will complete its investigation.
2. The Chairperson will convey the decision of the Board in writing to the Teacher and the Complainant. This letter will be sent within 5 school days of the Board of Management meeting.
3. The decision of the Board of Management shall be final.