The child's local authority
A child, family member or professional can contact the child's social worker or placing local authority directly. Contact details should be provided in the child's placement information and Children's Guide.
Complaints procedure
Complaints, concerns and compliments
Organic Fostering wants people to speak openly when something has gone wrong, does not feel right or could be improved. We will listen, take concerns seriously and explain what happens next. A child or young person must be able to complain without fear of being punished, disadvantaged or treated differently.
999Call the police if a child or anyone else is in immediate danger
0161 241 1332Speak to us about a complaint, concern or compliment
0800 1111Childline, free to call
Urgent help
Is someone in immediate danger?
Call the police on 999 if a child or anyone else is in immediate danger. Do not wait for the complaints process. For a child-protection concern that is not an immediate emergency, follow the Safeguarding guidance.
Who can contact us?
A complaint, concern, compliment or suggestion may come from any of the following people.
What can I contact you about?
You can raise matters including the following.
You can also tell us when someone has helped or suggest an improvement.
How to contact us
You may ask someone you trust to help. Do not send highly sensitive information through social media or an unsecured form.
What to include
Share what you can.
You can still contact us if you do not know every detail.
If you are a child or young person
You can speak to your foster carer, social worker, independent reviewing officer, advocate or another adult you trust.
Information and help must suit your age, understanding and communication needs.
Childline is available free on 0800 1111.
How the complaints process works
- 01
Stage 1: Early resolution
Where appropriate and safe, the team will try to understand and resolve the issue promptly. We will record the concern, confirm the requested outcome, identify the correct manager and explain any immediate action. A serious safeguarding allegation, possible criminal offence or complaint about the registered person must not be treated as a routine informal matter.
- 02
Stage 2: Formal investigation
If early resolution is unsuitable or unsuccessful, the complaint may move to formal investigation. The investigator should be sufficiently independent, review the evidence, speak with relevant people and give a written outcome.
- 03
Stage 3: Review
If you remain dissatisfied, you may ask for a review of whether the matter was properly investigated, whether the conclusions were supported and whether the proposed actions were reasonable.
Possible outcomes
An outcome may include any of the following.
Confidentiality may prevent us from sharing details of action taken about another person.
Safeguarding concerns and allegations
If information suggests that a child may have been harmed or is at risk, safeguarding procedures take priority. Organic Fostering may need to notify the child's local authority, the relevant local authority designated officer, police, Ofsted or other safeguarding partners.
Information may be shared without consent where this is necessary and lawful to protect a child.
Anonymous concerns
You may raise a concern without giving your name. Limited contact information can make it harder to clarify or investigate, but information indicating a safeguarding or regulatory risk will still be considered.
External routes
If you would rather go outside Organic Fostering, or you are not satisfied with our response, these routes are available to you.
Ofsted
Ofsted regulates independent fostering agencies. It may use concerns as regulatory information, although it does not normally resolve individual disputes. Telephone: 0300 123 4666. Email: CIE@ofsted.gov.uk. Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted
Data-protection complaints
You can raise a data-protection complaint with us using the contact details on this page. You can also complain to the Information Commissioner's Office at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/.
Review of a fostering decision
A complaint is not always the correct route for challenging a qualifying determination about foster carer approval. Where applicable, the written decision should explain the right to make representations or apply to the Independent Review Mechanism within the relevant period.
Records and learning
The agency records the complaint, how it was considered, findings, action and communication. Themes should be reviewed to identify learning and service improvements.
You will not receive poorer treatment for raising a genuine concern.
Organic FosteringContact
Make a complaint or raise a concern
Call 0161 241 1332, or write to us using the postal address on this page. You may ask someone you trust to help you.