Greeting from the Chair - National Complaints Officers' Group

Welcome to the website for the National Complaints Officers' Group (NCOG).

NCOG is the national body of regional groups of complaints managers who have responsibility for managing the complaints procedure within local authorities in respect of social care services to adults and children and young people. Two representatives from each of the regions attend the quarterly meetings of the national group.

The aim of regional groups, which meet quarterly, is to provide a forum in which peer professionals can discuss and learn about regional and national issues. There is an exchange of information and an opportunity to develop local practice standards. In some regions, local authorities work in partnership. An example of this is the recruitment and training of external investigators and independent persons who are then available to member authorities within the region.

At this time we are experiencing significant professional and organisational changes in the way that social care is delivered to both adults, and children and young people. The current reform of complaints procedures regarding social care services to adults and children and young people also presents its own challenges. So it is perhaps timely that there have been some changes to this website.

Members of the public are able to access the home page of the website. The remainder is password protected for the exclusive use of members of NCOG.

If you are a member of the public wishing to receive help in making a complaint you will need to click on the area in which you live on the map and you will be able to obtain a contact number for the complaints team in your area.

For complaints managers the website contains a membership list and contacts page, records of regional and national AGMs, annual reports, current news and various discussion boards.

I urge you to explore the website, to comment on the site itself and to contribute to its future development and content.

With best wishes

Gill Winn
Chair
NCOG