How we deal with complaints
We have 2 stages for dealing with complaints.
Stage 1: Frontline response
This is for complaints that can be dealt with quickly by staff in the area concerned. These complaints may be resolved on the spot or we will respond within 5 working days.
If you are dissatisfied with our response, you can ask us to consider your complaint at stage 2.
Stage 2: Investigation
This is for complaints that need to be investigated by senior staff. This might be because:
- you were not satisfied with our response to your complaint at stage 1
- we have immediately identified the issue as complex and needing investigation.
We will:
- acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days
- confirm with you what we will investigate and what you want to achieve
- give you our decision within 20 working days unless there is clearly a good reason for needing more time.
External review
If you are dissatisfied with our final decision or the way we have handled your complaint, you can ask the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) to consider it. We will tell you how to do this when we send you our final decision.
More information about making a complaint and about how we deal with complaints is available in our Complaints Guide and in our Complaints Handling Procedure documents.
Complaints Guide
Complaints guide in easy read format (1MB, pdf)
Complaints guide in Gaelic (258KB, pdf)
Information on how to make a complaint in BSL
Complaints Handling Procedure documents
Part 1: Introduction and overview (153KB, pdf) posted 04 May 2021
Part 2: When to use this procedure (201KB, pdf) posted 04 May 2021
Part 3: The complaints handling process (227KB, pdf) posted 04 May 2021
Part 4: Governance (152KB, pdf) posted 04 May 2021