ofsted

[happygolucky0]

Hi has anyone ever had the experience of making a complaint against Ofsted? If so what was the outcome? I had a horrible experience yesterday and wondered if it you think it is worth making complait or just a waste of time?

Can't go into it now but I had a LONG fight with Ofsted and just won!!! If they have done something out of order, then complain!!!

I know of a couple near me that have appealed one won one didn't.

Was it an inspection or complaint?

Their are some great minders on here who can help you/give advice if you need it. If you don't want to post then lots of us have CAT.

My view is if you think it's unjustified then appeal/complain and fight it all the way.

I too made a complaint against them and won.
If you want to get in touch for details my email is [email protected] There are a few regulars on here who can vouch for me as I am not a regular poster but always willing to help.

I can vouch for tigersmum

Just my two pence: whether it's "worth" complaining about anything or anyone really depends on what you hope to gain.

With whatever it is you're not happy about that Ofsted did or didn't do - what do you hope they will change as a result of your complaint? For example have they refused a variation request unreasonably, and do you want them to agree to it? Or have they given you actions/requirement notices/a warning that you feel shouldn't be necessary? Or did you get a grading that you don't think reflects your childminding practice and you would like it changed? Or even do you think an Inspector was rude or unreasonable, and you'd like an apology?

If you feel that something unreasonable did happen and you are clear about what you hope to achieve by bringing this to Ofsted's attention then there's no reason you shouldn't. Put it all clearly in writing, send it in and then be prepared for quite a wait and a bit of chasing, but they will be obliged to respond (eventually!).

It is always worth speaking up if you are not happy as it will just eat you away until you do something about it. Ofsted are NOT always right and it takes people like us to point that out. A huge thing was changed after my complaint and I know it has made life easier for thousands of people. Thanks for the vouch BALDY.

Ofsted are not always right, so if you feel the hassle, sleepless nights, financial outlay is worth it, then sure it's worth pursuing. You can see the results of cases taken as far as a tribunal on the Care Standards Tribunal website - reading some of the cases may give you an idea of how the tribunal may take your case.

You haven't actually told us anything about what sort of complaint you are wanting to make. As others have said, consider what result you want. When writing to them, tell them what result you would like... you never know they may take a look at your letter, take a look at what happened and consider your request to be reasonable. By telling them what you expect, it gives them the opportunity to do as you expect, rather than not knowing what outcome you want, thus making it hard for them to know how to achieve an outcome everyone is happy with. Last thing they really want is a tribunal case... which is where complaints go, eventually (most are settled way before then though).

Can you give us any details of what the complaint would be about? Maybe that would help - don't mention anyone's name if it is about a specific inspector/person at Ofsted.

I appealed against my grading last year - got 10 outstanding, 4 good, but 'good' overall - they changed my 'actions' to recommendations but refused to upgrade the overall grade. I got parents to write in, sent copies of references etc - they wouldnt budge.

Agree with previous posts, depends on the reasons for your appeal.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It was a inspection. There are alot of points too many to write on here. But to sum it up I think the inspecter was unreasonable and put me down mostly because I disagreed with her. She made me feel awful. Mostly I would like it not to happen to someone else from making a complaint. I just think these inspecters work alone and if we dont speak up then who is going to know that they are treating childminders this way?

I absolutely don't want to put you off making a complaint if you feel it's justified, but realistically a complaint about the general conduct of an inspector will at most get them a talking to by their line manager, since it's very likely to be a case of he-said she-said, and why should they believe one person over another? That's always going to be the problem in any situation where people are one on one and there's no "neutral" observer. Although if there is a history of similar complaints against the inspector it could all build up to a pattern and then you'd hope someone would have to take action.

If by "putting you down" you're referring to a lower grading than you think you should have got, then the important thing is EVIDENCE! List all the points where the inspection report says something that isn't accurate and provide evidence to the contrary - like if it says you didn't have policy X, confirm that you do but that the inspector just didn't see it, then include a copy. Factual points are the key. "I think she was overly harsh" won't get you any concrete change - "Inspector said I was over numbers but actually she got child X's date of birth wrong", or "she said I have no craft materials but actually I have blah blah blah and blah she just didn't look in the craft box" might.