Family Rights Group | Kinship carers’ Forum

Any advice out there on what to write in a stage 2 complaint letter.
SS have had there 20 days on the stage 1 and I haven't heard anything from them, I can't just send in the same letter surely?
Cheers.

Spex

Has it been 20 working days?

You dont have to send any additional info, if they havnt responded within the allowed time just send in a letter telling them that because of lack of response within the allocated time you want your complaint escalated immediately to stage 2.

Thanks Help,
Yes, it's been 20 working days. I have been counting them off!!

Cheers

Spex

Hi Spex, any news?

Hi Clairspex,I would lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman, that way the council will know not to mess you about. I can not over stress how difficult it has been to bring our complaint both in terms of time and emotional stress. If I had my time again I would take legal action against the council at the earliest opportunity as any investigation that they do is very unlikely to make you feel any better.In fact our stage 2 report was really bad to the extent that it is criminal as are the replies from the council and LGO.The only reason that we do not blow the lid on it all is the child as ultimately its them who will read about it all.I sincerely hope you get an apology but take it from someone who knows,it is extremely unlikely

Hi all,

Sorry Ive not posted for a while. I put the Stage 2 complaint in. After two weeks I hadn't heard anything so I rang them. A few days later they rang me back to say they were trying to resolve the issues before escalating to stage 2. I told them I had already requested it to be escalated as they have been 'trying to resolve the issue' since New Year and still nothing - which is why I'm complaining. They said they ahve 'tried their utmost' to resolve it and I said I'd like to see what that means. Show me evidence of you 'trying your utmost' because if it has taken 6 months for nothing to happen then it doesn't seem to me that much trying has happened at all.
Will keep you all posted.
x


Spex

Claire, I can't remember the timescale but I believe there's a set period of time for them to respond to complaints and it sounds as if they are completely flouting the regulations. Hopefully someone will be able to be more specific for you so you know how to respond next.

hi claire,
perhaps they were hoping you'd be holding your breath for them to take action ~ in which case by now you'd have expired!
i hope you've made a complete note of your telephone calls with them.
also, perhaps you should write a letter to them reitering that your letter in march was a stage 2 complaint letter and you are still waiting for them to progress the complaint.
if i may quote "the saying of the moment": keep calm and carry on
best wishes,
old bear

http://www.frg.org.uk/pdfs/25.%20Challe ... laints.pdf

Spex, if this link works it will take you to the FRG Advice Sheet on Complaints. Hope it helps.

It could also be worth making a call to the Local Government Ombudsman advice line. Although the LGO doesn't usually get involved until the local authority's own procedures have been exhausted, they may have some advice about how to deal with unreasonable delays.

David R
FRG Policy Adviser