Complaints Policy

    Complaints Policy of Aabyss Limited.

    We view complaints as an opportunity to learn and improve for the future, as well as a chance to put things right for the person or organisation that has made the complaint.Troy Midwood, Founder of Aabyss

    Our policy is:

    • To provide a fair complaints procedure which is clear and easy to use for anyone wishing to make a complaint
    • To publicise the existence of our complaints procedure so that people know how to contact us to make a complaint
    • To make sure everyone at Aabyss knows what to do if a complaint is received
    • To make sure all complaints are investigated fairly and in a timely way
    • To make sure that complaints are, wherever possible, resolved and that relationships are repaired
    • To gather information which helps us to improve what we do

     

    Definition of a Complaint

    A complaint is any expression of dissatisfaction, whether justified or not, about any aspect of Aabyss Limited.

     

    Where Complaints Come From

    Complaints may come from any person or organisation that has a legitimate interest in Aabyss Limited. A complaint can be received verbally, by phone, by email or in writing.

     

    Confidentiality

    All complaint information will be handled sensitively, telling only those who need to know and following any relevant data protection requirements.

     

    Responsibility

    Overall responsibility for this policy and its implementation lies with Andrew Allen, Chief Executive.

     

    Review

    This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as required.

    Last reviewed: 16th September 2022

     

    Publicised Contact Details for Complaints:

    Written complaints may be sent to:
    Aabyss Limited at 19 Meridian Business Village, Hansby Drive, Liverpool, L24 9LG or by e-mail at complaints@aabyss.uk

    Verbal complaints may be made by phone to 0151 733 3223 or in person at Aabyss at 19 Meridian Business Village, Hansby Drive, Liverpool, L24 9LG.

     

    Receiving Complaints/ Abuse Complaints

    Complaints may arrive through channels publicised for that purpose or through any other contact details or opportunities the complainant may have.

    Complaints received by telephone or in person need to be recorded. The person who receives a phone or in person complaint should:

    • Write down the facts of the complaint
    • Take the complainant’s name, address and telephone number
    • Note down the relationship of the complainant to Aabyss Limited (for example: client, member)
    • Tell the complainant that we have a complaints procedure
    • Tell the complainant what will happen next and how long it will take
    • Where appropriate, ask the complainant to send a written account by post or by email so that the complaint is recorded in the complainant’s own words.

    For further guidelines about handling verbal complaints, see Appendix 1 Resolving Complaints  

     

    Stage One

    In many cases, the person responsible for the issue being complained about best resolves a complaint. If that person has received the complaint, they may be able to resolve it swiftly and should do so if possible and appropriate.

    Whether or not the complaint has been resolved, the complaint information should be passed to the Chief Operating Officer, within one week.

    On receiving the complaint, Chief Operating Officer records it in the complaints log. If it has not already been resolved, they delegate an appropriate person to investigate it and to take appropriate action.

    If the complaint relates to a specific person, they should be informed and given a fair opportunity to respond.

    Complaints should be acknowledged by the person handling the complaint within a week. The acknowledgement should say who is dealing with the complaint and when the person complaining can expect a reply. A copy of this complaints procedure should be attached.

    Ideally complainants should receive a definitive reply within four weeks. If this is not possible because for example, an investigation has not been fully completed, a progress report should be sent with an indication of when a full reply will be given.

    Whether the complaint is justified or not, the reply to the complainant should describe the action taken to investigate the complaint, the conclusions from the investigation, and any action taken as a result of the complaint.

     

    Stage Two

    If the complainant feels that the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved at Stage One, they can request that the Chief Executive, reviews the complaint.

    The request for the Chief Executive to review should be acknowledged within a week of receiving it.  The acknowledgement should say who will deal with the case and when the complainant can expect a reply.

    The Chief Executive may investigate the facts of the case themselves or delegate a suitably senior person to do so. This may involve reviewing the paperwork of the case and speaking with the person who dealt with the complaint at Stage One.

    If the complaint relates to a specific person, they should be informed and given a further opportunity to respond.

    The person who dealt with the original complaint at Stage One should be kept informed of what is happening.

    Ideally complainants should receive a definitive reply within four weeks. If this is not possible because for example, an investigation has not been fully completed, a progress report should be sent with an indication of when a full reply will be given.

    Whether the complaint is upheld or not, the reply to the complainant should describe the action taken to investigate the complaint, the conclusions from the investigation, and any action taken as a result of the complaint.

    The decision taken at this stage is final, unless the Chief Executive decides it is appropriate to seek external assistance with resolution.

     

    Monitoring and Learning from Complaints

    Complaints are reviewed annually to identify any trends that may indicate a need to take further action.

     

    Appendix 1 – Practical Guidance for Handling Verbal Complaints

    • Remain calm and respectful throughout the conversation.
    • Listen – allow the person to talk about the complaint in their own words.
    • Sometimes a person just wants to “let off steam”
    • Don’t debate the facts in the first instance, especially if the person is angry, show an interest in what is being said.
    • Obtain details about the complaint before any personal details..
    • Ask for clarification wherever necessary.
    • Show that you have understood the complaint by reflecting back what you have noted down.
    • Acknowledge the person’s feelings (even if you feel that they are being unreasonable) – you can do this without making a comment on the complaint itself or making any admission of fault on behalf of the organisation
      eg “I understand that this situation is frustrating for you”.
    • If you feel that an apology is deserved for something that was the responsibility of your organisation, then apologise.
    • Ask the person what they would like done to resolve the issue.
    • Be clear about what you can do, how long it will take and what it will involve.
    • Don’t promise things you can’t deliver.
    • Give clear and valid reasons why requests cannot be met.
    • Make sure that the person understands what they have been told.
    • Wherever appropriate, inform the person about the available avenues of review or appeal.