Where to go with a complaint.

Discuss the problem at school

Is there a problem or complaint about the school or one of the staff? Then it is advisable to first try to discuss the complaint with the school. The following steps can help:

1. Discuss the problem with the teacher or another responsible person at school.
2. Discuss the problem with the team leader, mentor, care coordinator, or internal support coordinator.
3. Discuss the problem with the school director.
4. Discuss the problem with the school governing body of the school.
5. Use mediation.

At any time a parent can contact the confidential advisor of the school.

If talking does not help, parents can also file a formal complaint. Each school describes how to file a formal complaint in the complaints procedure. You can find information about the complaints procedure in the school guide.

If the complaint is about the school policy, the school participation council can be informed. They can review the policy based on the signal.

Outside the school

If a parent cannot reach a solution with the school, help from other organisations is possible:

• File a complaint with the independent complaints committee.
• Report the situation to the education inspectorate.
• Contact the human rights commission for discrimination.
• Get legal help through legal assistance insurance, the legal desk or a specialised education lawyer.
• Look for another school.

For more information and advice, contact our advice point at 088-6050101 or vraag@oudersonderwijs.nl.

Serious situations

Sometimes there is a situation that has serious and lasting effects on the student. This can be (a suspicion of) sexual harassment, sexual abuse, psychological or physical violence, severe bullying, discrimination, or radicalisation. The following steps are possible:

• Contact a confidential inspector of the education inspectorate.
• In case of a crime, report to the police.

For students with support needs

If the complaint is about extra support at school for a child, there are options inside and outside the school to discuss the problem:

• Contact the partnership tailored education.
• The disputes committee tailored education handles disputes about admission of students who need extra support, removal of any students, and the establishment and adjustment of the development perspective plan for students who need extra support.
• Depending on the situation, other actions can be taken.