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Complaints and services standards

Our Customer charter sets out our commitment to you. It clearly explains the level of service you can expect from our staff at all times, including our general service standards and the aspirations we have for the quality of service we provide.

 

Our Complaints policy explains what to do if you feel the Commission’s service did not meet the expected standard, or if you believe you were treated in a way that was not professional or respectful. Please use the form below to submit your complaint.

 

If you prefer, you can authorise someone else - such as an accountant, solicitor, friend or relative - to make a complaint on your behalf and deal with the Commission for you. The Commission can only accept representatives authorised through our Form of Authority. If necessary, we may also ask for additional proof of your identity. If you wish to use a representative, please email the completed form to admin@charitycommissionni.org.uk. Once we receive and process the form, we will communicate only with your authorised representative about the specific issue. We cannot discuss the matter with your representative until their authority has been accepted.

 

Our Raising a concern about the Commission (formerly whistleblowing) guide explains how anyone - inside or outside the Commission - can report concerns about danger, wrongdoing, or illegal activity involving Commissioners and/or staff. These concerns relate to issues that may affect others, not personal complaints about service.

 

The NIAO good practice guide is a Northern Ireland Audit Office leaflet on raising concerns with them.

Complaint about service form

Have you addressed your complaint with a member of the Charity Commission staff through informal resolution?
Have you made this complaint before, ie is this a stage two complaint?
Does your complaint about our services concern

Privacy information

The Commission processes personal data provided by complainants, or individuals acting on their behalf, under Article 6(1)(c) of the UK GDPR, where processing is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation. This lawful basis applies because the Commission is required under section 36 of the Public Services Ombudsman Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 to operate a complaints procedure. Processing personal data is necessary to receive, assess, investigate and respond to complaints submitted through that procedure.

We will only use the information you provide for the purposes of administering and handling your complaint, in accordance with data protection legislation and our Privacy Notice.

Further information about how we collect, use, retain and protect personal information can be found in our Privacy notice and retention schedules (charitycommissionni.org.uk/about-us/privacy-notice-and-retention-schedules).