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JTW-JME-06 Justice, Trade & Work Justice & Market Ethics CORE Excellence v2.9.7

Code-compliant complaints policy; learning log published

Assesses whether the organization has a complaints policy compliant with recognized codes (e.g., ISO 10002; Housing Ombudsman Code; Charity Commission guidance) and publishes a log of lessons learned. The policy must include a triage decision tree distinguishing: (1) service complaints, (2) safeguarding/SEA/PSEA allegations (immediate referral to DSL), and (3) whistleblowing/protected disclosures. The public learning log must be aggregate and anonymised to demonstrate transparency while protecting privacy. Where legal or safeguarding constraints apply, publish aggregated thematic learning only.

Assessment Questions
  1. Does the organization have a documented complaints policy with a broad definition of 'complaint'?
  2. Show the triage decision tree: how are safeguarding/PSEA and whistleblowing matters distinguished from service complaints?
  3. How does the policy demonstrate compliance with a recognized external code (e.g., ISO 10002, Housing Ombudsman)?
  4. What conflict-of-interest checks are performed at Stage 1 and Stage 2, and where are they recorded?
  5. Is there a structured 'lessons learned' register with owners and due dates? (Show evidence)
  6. Does the organization publish its anonymised learning log quarterly/biannually? (Show website)
  7. What is the anonymisation standard used to protect privacy before publication?
  8. How are reasonable adjustments provided for complainants (Equality Act compliance)?
  9. What triggers a Charity Commission serious incident report (SIR) or regulator notification?
  10. What anti‑retaliation measures protect complainants and staff?
  11. Is there an independent Stage 2 review? Who conducts it (demonstrate independence)?
  12. What external escalation routes are signposted (e.g., Ombudsman, ICO, Fundraising Regulator)?
  13. Do you conduct and publish an annual self‑assessment against the chosen code?
Evidence Requirements
  • The official Complaints Policy document with triage decision tree.
  • Redaction/anonymisation checklist and a sample signed-off publication extract.
  • The internal complaints register and structured lessons/actions register.
  • Stage 2 independence evidence: reviewer appointment, conflict declaration, and template decision letter.
  • Board/Audit Committee minutes showing review of complaints trends and learning log.
  • Published anonymised learning log (link/screenshot) showing quarterly/biannual updates.
  • Annual complaints performance report and code self-assessment.
  • Privacy Notice covering complaints handling.
  • Risk register entries linked to complaint themes and SIR triggers.
  • Public webpage screenshots showing process, accessibility info, and external signposting.
Scoring Guidelines
LevelRatingDescription
5 5/5 Policy exceeds code (e.g., trauma-informed, measurable targets), public anonymised lessons log published quarterly, and demonstrably used to drive improvements.
4 4/5 Policy code-compliant; internal lessons/actions register actively maintained with owners/due dates; annual report published.
3 3/5 Policy code-compliant; complaints recorded with outcomes but analysis is ad-hoc; no structured 'lessons/actions' register.
2 2/5 Policy exists but not code-compliant; inconsistent logging; no learning log.
1 1/5 No documented complaints policy.

Discussion (1)

Administrator 2026-03-07 11:07:55.205348

📋 **Version updated: 1.0.0 → 2.9.7** **Changes:** Updated islamic_references from mizan-297.json

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