Introduction

This document outlines our commitment to dealing with complaints regarding the services provided by Consultiv Utilities. It also provides information about how we manage, respond to and learn from any complaints we receive about our service.

Consultiv Utilities will treat complaints seriously and ensure that complaints, concerns, and issues raised by customers are properly investigated in an unbiased, transparent, timely, and appropriate manner. Each complaint will be allocated to a dedicated complaints handler. The outcome of any investigation, along with any resulting actions will be explained to the complainant by the allocated complaints handler.

Consultiv Utilities identify when formulating this policy, highlighted the need to ensure that the complainant understands:

• how to complain;
• to feel confident that their complaint will be dealt with seriously;
• understands that their concerns will be investigated, and they will be informed of the outcome of any investigation;
• trust that Consultiv Utilities will learn from complaints and feedback received.

Aims

We are committed to doing the right thing as a core principal of our values and vision. We will ensure that customers can raise concerns or make a complaint about our service and that those concerns, and complaints are fully investigated. When dealing with complaints we aim to adhere to:

• Evidence based investigations and responses. This will include providing a consistent approach to the management and investigation of complaints.
• Logical and rational in our approach.
• Respond to complaints and concerns within appropriate timeframes.
• Provide opportunities for people to offer feedback on the quality of service provided.
• Provide a level of detail appropriate to the seriousness of the complaint.
• Identify the causes of complaints and to take action to prevent recurrences.

Definition of a complaint or concern

A complaint or concern is an expression of dissatisfaction about a service carried out by Consultiv Utilities, either verbal or written, and whether justified or not, which requires a response.

Who can make a complaint

A complaint may be made by the “Decision Maker” of the business in question, or by another employee of the business, where the Decision Maker has given consent for the employee to act on their behalf. A Decision Maker is the main person within a business responsible for decisions and who has the requisite authority to make those decisions.

In the case of an alternative employee pursuing a complaint on behalf of the business concerned we will request that the business’ Decision Maker provides us with written (whether by letter or email) confirmation that they wish for us to communicate with their chosen individual in respect of the complaint, and that they provide authorisation for complaint outcomes and any associated evidence to be shared with their chosen individual. This will be documented within the appropriate businesses notes within the complaint system.

Consultiv Utilities will not accept complaints made by third party brokers on behalf of a customer.

• Complaints that cannot be dealt with under this policy

The following complaints will not be dealt with under the Consultiv Utilities Complaints Policy:

• A complaint made by an employee about any matter relating to their employment.
• A complaint, the subject matter of which has previously been investigated under the policy.

How to complain

Information about giving feedback or making a complaint can be found on the Consultiv Utilities website. A complaint can be made:

By telephone: 0191 250 5557
By email: Complaints@ConsultivUtilities.com
By Post: Consultiv Utilities, 12 Merchant House, Merchant Court, Monkton Business Park, Hebburn, NE31 2EX

The Consultiv Utilities complaint process

The following steps must be followed for all customer complaints received by staff at Consultiv Utilities Ltd, regardless of department or level of complaint.

Our formal signed complaint responses will ordinarily be conveyed via letter (email correspondence will only be responded to by email when the complainant has expressly requested this as their
preferred method of communication and security measures will be implemented in line with office policy to protect personal information sent via email). The complaints handler will include
information on the next stages of the complaint’s procedure should the complainant wish to take matters further. The response will include:

• An explanation of how the complaint has been investigated.
• An explanation based on facts.
• Whether the complaint is upheld or not upheld.
• The conclusions reached in relation to the complaint
• Where appropriate, a proposed resolution.
• Information and contact details of the Ombudsman and Citizens Advice Bureau as appropriate is the next stage of the complaints process.

We are committed to providing quality responses and, as such, we will carry out regular reviews of our complaints handling processes, including internal quality monitoring and peer reviews. If at
any time during the complaint process the complainant or their chosen representative decides that they would like to withdraw the complaint, this request can be made either verbally or in
writing. The withdrawal of a complaint will be acknowledged in writing.

Roles and Responsibilities

Appendix 1 outlines our roles and responsibilities in detail.

Referrals to The Ombudsman

If a complainant remains dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint investigation by Consultiv Utilities, they can approach the Ombudsman for advice. The Ombudsman offer a free of charge service offering impartial advice on the issue raised. They can be contacted using any of the following methods: 

Website: www.energyombudsman.org
Telephone 0330 440 1624
Email: enquiry@energyombudsman.org
Post: Energy Ombudsman, PO Box 966, Warrington, WA4 9DF.
This information will be provided by Consultiv Utilities in the final outcome letter.

Record Keeping

Consultiv Utilities will keep clear and accurate records of complaints is important and these should be retained for a period of six (6) years.

Monitoring and Reporting

The Consultiv Utilities Compliance and Complaints manager uses complaints and feedback to improve its internal processes. A monthly report is produced which details:

• Number of complaints received.
• Number of complaints received considered to be based on solid evidence or good reasons (complaints upheld).
• Issues and key themes identified.
• Training and procedure issues identified.
• Actions implemented, to improve services as a result of the complaints made.

Distribution

Consultiv Utilities will ensure that appropriate information is available in relation to the complaints policy and procedures.

Quality Assurance

Consultiv Utilities will monitor both the effectiveness of the complaints process, and how complaints information is being used to improve the services offered. Specifically, the Compliance and
Complaints manager will aim to provide a system to:

• Disseminate learning from complaints across the relevant parts of the organisation.
• Include the use of complaints procedures as a measure of performance and quality.
• Use complaints intelligence to provide relevant information to managers for further dissemination.

Whistleblowing

The law provides protection for colleagues who raise legitimate concerns about specified matters. These are called “qualifying disclosures”. A qualifying disclosure is one made in the public interest by a colleague who has a reasonable belief that:

A criminal offence; A miscarriage of justice; An act of negligence An act of bribery, financial fraud or
mismanagement; An act creating risk to health and safety; An act causing damage to the environment; Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information; A breach of any other legal obligation; or Concealment of any of the above; is being, has been, or is likely to be, committed.

It is not necessary for the colleague to have proof that such an act is being, has been, or is likely to be, committed – a reasonable belief is sufficient. Colleagues do not have responsibility for investigating the matter – it is the Company’s responsibility to ensure that an investigation takes place.

A colleague who makes such a protected disclosure has the right not to be dismissed, subjected to any other detriment, or victimised, because they have made a disclosure.

If colleagues are uncertain whether something is within the scope of this policy, they should seek advice from their Line Manager, Compliance, or the Company Director. If colleagues are still unsure, they can also seek advice from the Whistleblowing Hotline. United Kingdom 0800 609 172.

Compliance and Review

Compliance with the policy and procedures laid down in this document will be monitored by the Compliance and Complaints Manager, Elaine Clennell. The Compliance and Complaints Manager is responsible for the monitoring, revision and updating of this document. This policy will be kept under review in light of operational experience, with the first review taking place one year from issue.

Appendix 1: Allocation of Responsibilities

The Compliance and Complaints Manager will:

• Explain the complaints process to a complainant
• Ensuring complaints logs are up to date and accurate for reporting purposes.
• Attempt to resolve informally wherever appropriate to do so.
• Investigate and respond to complaints.
• Recording details of the complaint securely as well as the outcome, and response letters.
• Provide relevant reporting to the business.
• Have awareness of, and log complaints.
• Management of the procedures for handling complaints and concerns through the departments within Consultiv Utilities.
• Ensure information collected from complaints is reported to the appropriate departments to enable organisational review, learning and development.
• Consider emerging themes and learning from the complaints reporting mechanism. Identify service improvements/complaint trends as a result of complaints and concerns being raised.