Complaint relating to Scottish Primary Education

[Deleted User]

I apologise if this is the wrong forum - if so please redirect us. After an exhaustive and lengthy complaint going all the way through the complaints procedure to the Chief Executive we hit a brick wall.

It was their word against ours and in summing up they decided, in not such plain English, that they believed their staff and not us. Not one of the many aspects of our complaint was upheld. Again, in not such plain English, they suggested that there was no case to answer. They put the ball back in our court to work with the very staff who had (seriously) caused a considerable amount of distress to the family. We can't just pretend that all is well when they aren't telling the truth and, therefore, they think we are accepting that we have lied in complaining.

In conclusion (leaving us in no doubt that they were closing the complaint) they e wished to pursue it further. We feel that we are not an equal match to 'them' and that they would be able to present a strong (not = truthful) case in their favour to The Ombudsman to our detriment. This is why we do not feel that going to The Ombudsman would be of any value. We can't imagine 'them' backing down or allowing themselves to lose face - although they have humiliated us+++.

In The Scottish Education system, when we feel that we have not been treated fairly, does any one know of another route for us to have our 'case' heard? Is there someone higher up in Scottish Parliament who would hear us - or any one else? (Someone (knowing that what we have complainted about is legitimate) has suggested going to the press but that seems extreme and we are not interested in sensationisation.) We just want fairness to prevail.

Any information or advice will be most welcome.

Thank you.

lucylucky

What Chief exec?

If the ombudsman is the next logical progression you should use that as if you go higher it is likely that you will be told to go back and follow "procedures" before anyone else can get involved.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for replying, LucyLucky. It went all the way through the Education Complaints Procedure to the Chief Executive for Education in the Council. They are much too clever for us and have run circles round us. Basically they have 'closed ranks' and it is their word against ours. We feel as if we are up against a brick wall and we think The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman will take a very long time only to come down in favour of The Education Department again - as the Complaints Procedure has already done at every step. They simply believe and protect their own staff and not us.

poet123

If you really believe you have a genuine grievance which is being pushed under the carpet, then the press is probably now the only avenue left open to you. At the very least this will make the decisions open to scrutiny and they will have to explain and justify them. Other than that you need to find another school, and move forward.

cannyscot_2

have you spoken to your local councillor? or your MSP?

grunnie

Unless you get your MP or MSP to take the case forward I am afraid you are stuck.

[Deleted User]

Hello cannyscot and the others. Thank you very much for your replies and suggestions. I did not know that a Councillor or MSP would be able to take up such an issue - or even be interested in it. It gives us more food for thought, thank you.

lucylucky

Deleted_User wrote: »

Hello cannyscot and the others. Thank you very much for your replies and suggestions. I did not know that a Councillor or MSP would be able to take up such an issue - or even be interested in it. It gives us more food for thought, thank you.

It is always worth contacting your local councillor/MSP - they are there to serve your interests.

[Deleted User]

We've decided to approach the MSP so, via the Library, we have managed to track down the contact details. Thank you for all your help.

lucylucky

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/apps2/msp/msphome/default.aspx

Stick your post code in and you'll get all the details you need