Complaints Policy

 

The South Asian Heritage Trust aims to provide its members and service users with the best possible service.  However, we recognize that from time to time there may be occasions when users of our services feel that the quality or level of service provided falls short of what they could reasonably expect.

Your continued goodwill is greatly valued by us and we would expect to resolve any day-to-day difficulties or complaints informally and as quickly as possible.  In the first instance, we would expect you to raise any complaint directly with the member of the Trust concerned.

The more formal procedure outlined below is intended for use by members and other users of our services, where informal communication has not resolved the problem.

 

This is what you should do:

The complaint should be made either in person, or by telephone, letter, or email to the Trustees who will acknowledge, in writing within ten working days, the receipt of any complaint.  If the complaint is about the Trustees the complaint should be addressed to the Chair (marked ‘confidential’).  At this, and any subsequent stage, the complainant may be accompanied or supported by a friend, but not a legal representative.

 

This is what The South Asian Heritage Trust will do:

The Chief Officer (or Chair) will investigate the circumstances leading to the complaint and will communicate the results of the investigation to the complainant within a reasonable time – normally within 20 working days of the complaint being received.  If the complaint is found to be justified, the Chief Officer (or Chair) will agree on any necessary further action with the complainant.

The complainant will have the right – if dissatisfied with the results of the inquiry – to put their case, in writing, to an appeal panel of two Trustee Board members, which will include at least one vice-chair.

If the appeal is found to be justified, the appeal panel will agree on any necessary further action with the complainant.  The decision of the appeal panel is final and no further appeal is possible.

The Chief Officer (or Chair) will keep the Trustee Board informed of the number and nature of complaints and the outcomes.  S/he will report to the Board on this at least annually.

If you have a complaint, contact:

The Chief Officer (or Chair)

Jasvir Singh

jasvir@southasianheritage.org.uk

Please also let us know if you are happy with The South Asian Heritage Trust’s services.

Implemented Date: 19th May 2022

Review Date: 6th March 2023