Complaints & Appeals Procedure

As a local authority we are continually seeking to improve, and are therefore eager to respond to suggestions made by schools or settings. However if there are any complaints about the moderation process, or appeals against the outcomes of moderation, the following steps need to be followed:

• Discuss any concerns initially with the school/setting’s designated moderator, by using the materials produced by QDCA and NAA.
• If the issue is not resolved, contact the Moderation Manager at the Birth to Five Service by phone, fax or email.
• To contact The Head of the Birth to Five Service.
• A lead adviser will meet with the moderator to discuss the previous moderation meeting with the school and note the moderator’s account of details.
• The school will be visited by a lead adviser to re-moderate the evidence and judgements, using the national exemplification materials.
• All outcomes will be noted on the appeals procedure form, which all parties involved in the complaint/ appeal will sign.
• Outcomes from the complaint/appeal will be noted in a transparent way for the Headteacher, School Improvement Partner, and Birth to Five Service to keep on record.

The Birth to Five Service takes any complaints or queries very seriously and wishes to respond to and resolve them as quickly as possible.

The moderation process should be a supportive and rigorous procedure. Practitioners should feel reassured that their assessment judgements are accurate and consistent with those made in other settings.