Complaints advice and support
The following organisations can provide you with further advice and support, depending on the nature of your complaint. If you are unsure who to speak to or want some general advice, please contact the corporate complaints team.
Formerly known as Help the Aged and Age Concern
Provides information and advice to older people and their families. Contact the Age UK information line on 0800 1696565 or visit the Age UK website
As one of the UK's leading children's charities, Barnardo's works directly with over 200,000 children, young people and their families every year. They run over 800 vital projects across the UK, including counselling for children who have been abused, fostering and adoption services, vocational training and disability inclusion groups.
Please go to the Barnardo's website for more information
Bullying UK is part of Family Lives, a charity that has over three decades of experience in helping parents deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life. They provide help and support in all aspects of family life.
A free and independent service set up to assist people with legal, financial and other problems. For further information, go to the Citizens Advice Bureau website for local contact details. There are offices across Wiltshire, which you will be able to search for on the site.
Coram Children's Legal Centre (CCLC), part of the Coram group of charities, specialises in law and policy affecting children and young people.
CCLC provides free legal information, advice and representation to children, young people, their families, carers and professionals, as well as international consultancy on child law and children's rights. For further information, go to the Coram CLC website
Caring for Communities and People (CCP) Preventing Homelessness, Strengthening Families and Promoting Independence.
The Department for Education was formed on 12 May 2010 and is responsible for education and children's services. The DfE website also offers some guidance on making a complaint about a school.
The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for welfare and pension policies. Advice concerning benefits and further information about jobs can also be found on the DWP website.
The Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) is an advice service aimed at individuals who need expert information, advice and support on discrimination and human rights issues and the applicable law, particularly when this is more than advice agencies and other local organisations can provide.
Phone: 0808 800 0082
Textphone: 0808 800 0084
Website: Equality Advisory Support Service Website
Post: FREEPOST Equality Advisory Support Service FPN4431
Opening hours:
09:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday
10:00 to 14:00 Saturday
Closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays
If you are trying to find out information about benefits you may be entitled to or advice and support regarding government department and policies the Gov.uk website may be able to help you.
This website replaces Directgov and Business Link.
The Housing Ombudsman is an independent organisation, set up to consider complaints against landlords and agents and other housing disputes. They do not provide housing or accommodation advice. For further information, go to the Housing Ombudsman website or contact them on 0300 111 3000.
Kidscape works with children and young people under the age of 16, their parents/carers, and those who work with them.
Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. For more information, go to the Kidscape website
The Local Government Ombudsman is an independent organisation, set up to look at complaints made against councils and some other authorities. You will normally be expected to complain to your local council first of all, in order that we have the opportunity to investigate and resolve your complaint. For further advice go to the Local Government Ombudsman website or contact the helpline on 0300 061 0614 or 0845 602 1983.
Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. They report directly to Parliament and are independent and impartial. They inspect and regulate services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages. The Ofsted website offers some guidance on making a complaint or raising concerns about a school.
An information point concerning the various different ombudsman and other complaint-handling bodies. The association does not deal directly with complaints but acts as a signpost to other organisations who may be able to assist you. For further information, go to the Ombudsman Association website or contact them on 020 8 894 9272
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is an independent organisation, set up to consider complaints against uk government departments, associated agencies and the NHS. For further information, go to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman website or contact them on the complaints helpline 0345 015 4033
Every NHS trust has PALS to help people have a say in their local health services. If you want to make a complaint about a trust, the PALS will explain how to do this and discuss ways of getting your complaint dealt with. It will also take up some types of complaints for you.
Contact your local PALS through the PALS website or through the NHS Choices website
A national health care charity that highlights patients' concerns and needs. It provides advice and news aimed at helping people to get the best out of their health care and tells you where you can get more information and advice. Contact the Patients Association's helpline on 0845 608 4455 or visit the Patients association website.
The Planning Inspectorate deals with the processing of planning and enforcement appeals, other planning related casework and on a wider scale considers local development plans and regional spatial strategies. For more information, go to the Planning Inspectorate website or call 0303 444 5000.
Rights 4 Me was the official website for the Office for the Children's Rights Director for England (OCRD). as of 1 April 2014 the responsibilities became part of the work of the office of the Children's Commissioner
Samaritans is a confidential emotional support service available 24 hours a day to provide emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of emotional distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. For more information, go to the Samaritans website
A free confidential service that advises and supports people who are complaining about the NHS. ICAS is independent of the NHS and has offices throughout England. To find your nearest one, visit Department of Health & Social Care.
The Traffic Penalty Tribunal has been set up to consider appeals against parking penalties which have been issued by all local authorities outside of London. It is the final stage of appeal and it is important to have first challenged the notice by the penalty-issuing authority. For further information, go to the Traffic Penalty Tribunal website or contact them on 0161 242 5252.
