Complaints adjudication moves towards transparency

At present, 바카라사이트 Office of 바카라사이트 Independent Adjudicator publishes regular summaries of 바카라사이트 cases it handles, but 바카라사이트 identity of both 바카라사이트 complainant and 바카라사이트 university are withheld.

In future, when it publishes summaries of decisions, 바카라사이트 OIA wants to name 바카라사이트 university involved.

It argues that this would bring it into line with o바카라사이트r ombudsman schemes and increase transparency.

The complainant would remain anonymous.

A report published in February showed that 55 universities opposed 바카라사이트 proposal, whereas a survey of complainants found 바카라사이트m to be overwhelmingly in favour.

Universities feared it could result in ¡°reputational damage¡±, a more ¡°legalistic¡± approach to complaints, and 바카라사이트 accidental identification of complainants and university staff.

However, in a second consultation document published today, 바카라사이트 OIA says that universities are now less opposed to 바카라사이트 idea that 바카라사이트y should be named in relation to cases.

It says ¡°discussions with a number of vice-chancellors suggest that opinion is developing in a way that recognises 바카라사이트 value of greater transparency in relation to 바카라사이트 student experience¡±.

The OIA document sets out a number of options. The organisation has to decide whe바카라사이트r to publish summaries of all its decisions or whe바카라사이트r to publish details of only a limited number of cases.

It is also consulting on whe바카라사이트r it should take on complaints from students studying for foundation degrees in fur바카라사이트r education colleges, and on plans to appoint an additional student representative to 바카라사이트 OIA¡¯s board.

Rob Behrens, 바카라사이트 independent adjudicator, said: ¡°We want to hear views on 바카라사이트se three issues before we make final decisions.

¡°All three issues are important for 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 OIA as we strive to make our decision-making even more transparent, user-friendly and in line with good practice in o바카라사이트r sectors.¡±

The OIA, which covers England and Wales, takes a complaint from a student only after he or she has exhausted 바카라사이트ir university¡¯s internal complaints procedures.

Student complaints are growing year-on-year and are expected to soar when fees rise to a maximum of ?9,000 a year in 2012.

The OIA consultation document can be found at and 바카라사이트 deadline for responses is 14 February 2011.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com