Parental Complaints Procedure (Revised 2024)
Introduction
Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts recognises that parents/legal guardians, hereinafter called parents/guardians, are the primary educators in a child’s life and as such, from time to time, concerns may arise about which they may need to engage with our school. It is expected that engagement will be timely, courteous and resolution focused to ensure that the important relationship between the parent/guardian and the school can be preserved and respected. It is expected that all parties concerned will engage proactively.
This Parental Complaints Procedure (Revised 2024), hereinafter called the Parental Complaints Procedure, has been formulated by the Board of Management, Staff and Parents Association of Scoil Mhuire to meet its obligations under the Education Act, 1998 to provide procedures to address concerns that may be raised by a parent/guardian.
In 2023, the Parental Complaints Procedure was revised and agreed by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the management bodies of primary schools. The management parties to this agreement are the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA), the General Synod Board of Education of the Church of Ireland, Educate Together, An Foras Pátrúnachta, Muslim Primary Education Board, and the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education (NAMBSE). This revised procedure came into effect on 1 January 2024.
Rationale
The purpose of this Parental Complaints Procedure is to facilitate the resolution of concerns where they may arise in an agreed and fair manner. The purpose of the revised procedure is for a parent/guardian to engage constructively with the school where a concern arises and to have it addressed at local level in an efficient manner, in the best interests of all parties.
This Parental Complaints Procedure provides parents/guardians and teachers with a structured and agreed format with which to seek resolution to grievances and complaints which can arise, from time to time, in schools. Based on the principles of fair procedures, the intention at each stage of the procedure is to provide a format for both parties to explore a resolution at the earliest opportunity.
Relationship to School Ethos
In Scoil Mhuire, we aim to treat each child fairly and with respect. We realise the importance of each of our pupils feeling valued and respected. We also strive to promote positive home-school relationships and aim to enhance the self-esteem of everyone within our school community.
Aims
The aims of this Parental Complaints Procedure are:
To promote positive and trusting relationships between parents/guardians and Scoil Mhuire.
To facilitate parents/guardians to express concerns they may have.
To assist the early resolution of parent/guardian concerns that may arise.
To minimise opportunities for conflict.
Procedural Points
The staged procedure (detailed below) is where every effort is made to resolve matters at the earliest possible stage. In most cases, concerns will be dealt with either informally or formally at the earlier stages of the procedure. Where it has not been possible to agree a resolution at the earlier stages, the procedure does allow for the escalation of the matter to the Board of Management. This procedure sets out, in four stages, the process to be followed in progressing a complaint and the specific timescale to be followed. It is expected the parties will follow each stage in sequence:
Where the term written correspondence is used, this refers specifically to a letter or email correspondence from a parent/guardian(s).
Only complaints about a teacher which are written and signed by a parent/guardian, and which relate to their own child, will be investigated.
Where a complaint raised by a parent/guardian is deemed by the Board of Management to relate to the following, this procedure will not apply:
Matters of professional competence and which are to be referred to the Department of Education;
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.
In all circumstances, any form of written correspondence for the attention of the Board of Management must be supplied to the Chairperson of the Board of Management only. Any deviation from this could be deemed prejudicial and as acting outside the scope of this agreement.
Days in this procedure refer specifically to school days. A school day is a day on which the school is in operation. Holiday periods, school closures and leaves of absences are not counted as school days for the purpose of this procedure.
Group/collective complaints are not provided for and each parent/guardian raising a concern will be dealt with separately through this process.
The procedure is a domestic forum and accordingly, neither management nor the INTO intends that there would be legal representation at any stage.
Issues should be raised in a timely manner. It is in the best interests of the child that issues are raised to achieve early resolution at the earliest possible stage with the teacher, ideally while the pupil is in that teacher’s class.
The Staged Procedure
Formal Stage 1: Discussion
Parent/Guardian Meets Teacher
A parent/guardian who wishes to make a complaint in respect of their own child, should, seek an appointment with the teacher concerned with a view to resolving the complaint. Further meetings with the teacher can be convened as appropriate.
Parent/Guardian Meets Principal*
Where the parent/guardian is unable to resolve the complaint with the teacher, they should seek an appointment with the Principal with a view to resolving the complaint. Further meetings can be convened by the Principal as appropriate.
Parent/Guardian Meets Chairperson
Where the complaint remains unresolved, the parent/legal guardian should seek an appointment with the Chairperson of the Board of Management with a view to resolving the complaint. Further meetings can be convened by the Chairperson as appropriate.
Complaint Resolved
The complaint may be resolved during this stage.
*Where a complaint is received about a Principal, the above process commences at Stage 6.1.2.
Formal Stage 2: Written (10 Days)
Written Complaint Sent to Chairperson
If the complaint has not been resolved at Stage 6.1, the parent/guardian who wishes to pursue the matter further should submit the complaint in writing to the Chairperson of the Board of Management. This commences Stage 6.2.
Chairperson Provides a Copy to the Teacher
The Chairperson should provide a copy of the written complaint to the teacher against whom the complaint has been made, without delay.
Chairperson Convenes Meeting(s)
The Chairperson should seek to resolve the complaint between the teacher and the parent/guardian within 10 school days of the commencement of Stage 6.2. This may require one or more meetings to be convened by the Chairperson with the teacher/ parent/guardian and other school personnel as deemed appropriate by the Chairperson.
Complaint Resolved
The complaint may be resolved during this stage.
Formal Stage 3: Board of Management (20 Days)
Chairperson Makes a Formal Report to the Board of Management
If the complaint remains unresolved following Stage 6.2 and the parent/guardian wishes to pursue the matter, they should inform the Chairperson in writing of this fact. The Chairperson should make a formal report to the Board of Management within 10 days of receipt of this written statement. At this meeting, the Board can decide to proceed to either stage 6.3.2 or 6.3.3.
Complaint Concluded
Where the Board considers the complaint, the process may be concluded at this stage, if the Board considers that:
a) The complaint is frivolous/vexatious;
b) The complaint has already been investigated by the board;
c) The complaint is more appropriately dealt with through a more relevant Department of Education Circular, or;
d) Where recourse to law has been initiated.
Where the Board determines the complaint is concluded at this stage, the parent/guardian should be so informed, within five days of the Board meeting.
Proceed to a Hearing
Where the Board decides to proceed to a hearing, it should proceed as follows:
a) The teacher should be informed that the complaint is proceeding to a full hearing and the Chairperson must ensure the teacher has been supplied with all documents which are being considered by the Board.
b) The Board should arrange a meeting with the parent/guardian if it considers such to be required. The parent/guardian is entitled to be accompanied and assisted by a friend at any such meeting.
c) The teacher should be afforded an opportunity to make a presentation of their case to the Board. The teacher is entitled to be represented by a friend or a union representative, who may be accompanied for the purpose of assistance and note taking.
d) The teacher should be requested to supply a written statement to the Board as the employer in response to the complaint. This written statement will be confidential to the employer and will not be shared with any third party.
e) The meeting of the Board of Management referred to in 6.3.3(b), (c) and (d) will take place within 10 days of the meeting referred to in 6.1 in so far as possible.
Formal Stage 4: Decision (5 Days)
Written Decision from Chairperson
The Board will consider the complaint and the response provided and will adjudicate on the matter. The Chairperson should convey the decision of the Board in writing to the teacher and the parent/guardian(s) within five days of the meeting held at stage 6.3.3.
Complaint Concluded
The decision of the Board of Management shall be final.
Ratification & Communication
This Parental Complaints Procedure was ratified by the Board of Management on 13 February 2024. The policy has been made available to school personnel, published on the school website and provided to the Parents Association.
Monitoring & Evaluation
The implementation of this Parental Complaints Procedure will be monitored by the Principal and Board of Management.
Monsignor Denis Lennon Dr Mags Jordan
Chairperson of Board of Management Principal/Secretary to Board of Management
13 February 2024 13 February 2024
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