Complaints Procedure

We operate an internal complaints procedure as follows:

1. All complaints will in the first instance be dealt with by Jennifer Miles, mediator and sole director of Summit Family Mediation Limited.

2. Please confirm your complaint in writing. The timetable for addressing complaints will start on the date the written complaint is received.

3. Jennifer will acknowledge safe receipt of the written complaint within ten working days.

4. The other person(s) in attendance at the mediation will be notified that a complaint has been received and the complaints procedure invoked.

5. Jennifer will respond to the written complaint, having taken guidance from her Professional Practice Consultant, within thirty working days of the date of receipt. The complainant will be notified in writing if further time is required.

6. Mediation of the complaint can take place if requested by both the complainant and the mediator.

7. If Jennifer’s response is not accepted, the complainant can ask the Family Mediation Standards Board to consider the complaint. Details can be found here: https://www.familymediationcouncil.org.uk/complaints-about-mediators/

The Family Mediation Standards Boards will, if unresolved, address complaints from former clients, clients and qualifying third parties which relate to breaches of the Family Mediation Council’s Code of Practice or Standards Framework that occurred within the last 3 months.

The following qualify as third parties who can make a complaint against a mediator:

– A prospective client who has been directly affected by a mediator’s professional behaviour.

– A person has has been invited to participant in a mediation process, for example another professional who attends a mediation.

Jennifer will be free to share information held on the mediation file with the Family Mediation Standards Board in accordance with Summit Family Mediation Limited’s personal data policy https://summitfamilymediation.co.uk/personal-data-policy/

8. Complaints that appear to be vexatious or of a purely personal nature do not have to be investigated by mediators.