• Complaints Procedure

COMPLAINTS AND COMPLIMENTS POLICY

QMS114

 

  1. Document Control

 

Version

Approved

Next Review

Approver/Owner

9

28/05/2024

31/05/2026

Human Resources

 

  1. Introduction

 

2.1    Mainstream Training is committed to ensuring that its work is of the highest quality. Feedback from learners, partners, funders and other interested parties is integral to the continual improvement of Mainstream Training’s Quality Management System. Complaints and compliments:

 

  • Tell us what is working
  • Help identify potential service problems
  • Help identify and manage risks
  • Highlight opportunities for improvement

 

2.2    A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction about a service provided by Mainstream Training. We take all complaints extremely seriously and all staff are trained and committed to rectify any problem as soon as it is brought to their attention. It is recognised that a customer who has a complaint dealt with to their complete satisfaction is likely to become a repeat customer.

 

2.3    This policy aims to provide a straightforward and consistent process to how we listen and respond.

 

  1. Scope of this Policy

 

3.1    This policy applies to all employees regardless of position or seniority.

 

  1. Principles

 

3.1    Our approach is underpinned by the following principles:

 

  • Complaints and compliments are an important part of feedback we receive. It is integral to our ISO9001 accredited quality management system that we seek and respond to feedback.
  • Our procedures are accessible and easy to understand. Our website will include our complaints procedure
  • Complaints are dealt with appropriately and investigated within agreed time frames
  • Making a complaint will not prejudice the service being provided to the complainant
  • Mainstream Training will learn from complaints and compliments and will use the information to continually improve

 

  1. Complaints Procedure

 

5.1    Our procedure has three stages:

 

Stage 1 – Informal

 

  • Most concerns can be responded to locally and quickly by the staff member. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received, in the first instance please bring this to our attention as soon as possible by speaking with or emailing the individual member of staff concerned or their line manager. Please include as much detail as possible.
  • We will endeavour to satisfy your complaint and let you know of any action to be taken.
  • All complaints will be acknowledged by the member of staff you contacted within 3 working days
  • A full response to stage 1 complaints will be provided within 7 working days.

 

Stage 2 – Formal

 

  • Should the informal stage not provide you with a satisfactory resolution, or you feel it is inappropriate to address your complaint informally, please submit your complaint formally via one of the following options.
  • Mainstream Training ask that you raise your complaint as soon as possible after the event so that we have the opportunity to investigate fully.
  • Please address your complaint to one of the following:
  • Mark Woodfine (Senior Training Manager), or
  • Karen Bliss (Operations Manager), or
  • You can make your complaint via:
  1. Call: 01795 418100, or
  2. Email: [email protected], or
  3. Write to Mainstream Training Ltd, 4 Kings Row, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6AQ
  • When you contact us, please provide:
  • Full name
  • Contact details
  • Daytime telephone number
  • Full description of your complaint (including the subject matter and dates and times if known);
  • Any names of the people you have dealt with so far; and
  • Copies of any papers or letters to do with the complaint.
  • We will investigate your complaint and respond to you within 28 working days.

 

Stage 3 - Appealing

 

  • In the unlikely event that you remain unhappy after your complaint has been investigated and a decision reached then you may escalate your complaint to Rebecca Adams (Operations Director).
  • Please include any further items for consideration and state clearly why you remain unhappy with the decision taken so far.
  • The Operations Director can be contacted via:
  • Call:01795 418100, or
  • Write to: Operations Director, Mainstream Training Ltd, 4 Kings Row, Kent, ME15 6AQ
  • The Operations Director will investigate in full and respond to you within 15 working days
  • This will be the final route of escalation within our company. Therefore, if you remain unhappy after following our own internal complaints procedure and:

 

A) your complaint refers to services you have received relating to an accredited qualification course then please contact the Awarding Organisation directly:

 

B) your complaint refers to DVSA driving instruction or training, please contact the DVSA directly:

 

C) your complaint refers to delivery of government funded skills training:

 

  1. General points

 

    1. Queries. If you have any queries about the contents of this policy, please contact the Training Team directly on 01795 418100 or email [email protected]

 

    1. Safeguarding. If your complaint raises safeguarding concerns, the issue will be immediately referred to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or one of our Deputy DSLs. This may result in a delay to the complaint being investigated

 

    1. Record keeping. Mainstream Training will keep a record of all complaints. The register of complaints will be reviewed by our Quality Management Review Group as part of its quality management processes. A complaint may also be recorded as a non-conformance against our quality system.

 

  1. Compliments

 

7.1    Compliments also provide valuable feedback about what is working well. Compliments are usually received as follows:

 

  • Informal. Learners, partners, funders and the public contact one of our staff direct. Sometimes, senior managers or the Directors receive a compliment about a service or a staff member, these will always be passed on to the staff member and her/his manager.

 

  • Learner feedback. Where learners specifically name a staff member in their feedback, we will pass this on to that staff member and her/his manager.

 

 

 

  1. Learner feedback

 

8.1    We proactively seek learner feedback including through surveys. All feedback is valued and used as part of our continuous improvement. We recognise that sometimes learners will not make a complaint or provide a compliment in line with the above procedures but they may score an aspect of our service in such a way that we determine it is praise or a concern about our service.

 

 

 

END

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