2.3 Complaints Procedure - Managing Complaints about Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership in its Discharge of its Duties

1. Complaints

1.1 Complaints about Sheffield Safeguarding Partnership for Children and Young People

Any complaint or concern about the general discharge of the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership functions should be addressed to the Independent Chair, in writing, who will seek to resolve this matter with the individual raising the concern within 6 weeks of the complaint being received (Stage 1). The Independent Chair can be contacted at:

Independent Chair
Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership
Howden House Floor 3 South
Union Street
Sheffield
S1 2SH

If the individual who has raised the complaint is not satisfied with the outcome provided at Stage 1 they may request that their complaint moves to Stage 2. They will be asked to attend a panel consisting of three members from partner agencies and chaired by the Independent Chair. The complainant may be accompanied by a supporter and they will be asked to put their concerns to the independent panel. This panel will consider all the evidence presented and provide written feedback within 2 weeks.

The complainants contact through this process will be the Professional Adviser to the Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership.

1.2 Complaints about the Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP)

The Child Death Overview Panel sits under the auspices of the safeguarding partners. Any complaint about the CDOP or the operation about the child death review process should be addressed to the Chair of the CDOP, in writing, who can be contacted at:

Chair of CDOP
Director of Public Health
Town Hall
Pinstone Street
Sheffield
S1 2HH

The Chair of the CDOP will inform the Independent Chair of the safeguarding partners about the complaint and will seek to resolve the complaint with the person raising the concern (or will arrange for the most appropriate person to respond). The complainant will be responded to within 6 weeks of receipt of the complaint.

Stage 2 of the process outlined above can be followed if the complainant is not satisfied with the response.

1.3 Complaints / Concerns about the Independent Chair

It is the responsibility of the Chief Executive of the Local Authority to appoint and remove the Independent Chair. On an annual basis the Independent Chair is subject to an appraisal and as part of this process Board members will be asked for their evaluation of the effectiveness of the Independent Chair.

Should any member have a complaint / concern about the Independent Chair in respect of their effectiveness, independence or conduct, then they must put their concerns in writing to the Chief Executive of the Local Authority:

Chief Executive
Sheffield City Council
Town Hall
Pinstone Street
Sheffield
S1 2HH

If the concerns about the Independent Chair fall within the scope of the Allegations against Persons who work with Children (including Staff, Carers and Volunteers) Procedures, then those procedures must be followed.

If a concern is raised under the auspices of the Whistleblowing or Raising Concerns at Work Procedure then this concern must be put in writing to the Chief Executive of the Local Authority as outlined above.

The Chief Executive will appoint a suitable person to investigate the complaint / concerns and the outcome will be reported to the complainant within 6 weeks of the complaint being received.