Are all schools obligated to have a Grievance Process?

Are all schools obligated to have a Grievance Process?

Yes

In recent months the School Registration Board has updated Registration Standard 3.10 - Grievance Process.
All non government schools must comply with this standard
The standard requires schools to provide a process for dealing with grievances.
The process must be published, available to and widely known in, the school community.

The processes must provide clear procedures for:

• members of staff,

• students,

• parents or carers / guardians, and

• the general community

Complainants must be provided with the process document at the time of notifying of a possible grievance.
The documented process must

• allow for mediation, and

• recognise the right of aggrieved parties to have ultimate recourse to resolution through legal processes.

The Board recommends that schools include the possibility of resolution through mutually acceptable conciliation or arbitration procedures before recourse to other legal processes.