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    • Make a comment or complaint about the Council

    • Giving feedback or making a complaint

      You might want to let us know about a social worker or youth worker who’s really helped you. Maybe you’d like to share an idea on how to make something better. Or perhaps you want to make a complaint about something that didn’t work for you.

      To tell us something about East Sussex County Council and the service you received from us:

      Contact us 

      First, contact the person you have been dealing with or their manager. An adult or advocate can do this for you if you prefer. Be clear about what you want and if there is a problem how the team can help you. 

      Making a formal complaint

      After you try speaking to us, if things still aren’t right contact the Children’s Services Customer Relations team. Explain what went wrong and how we can fix it. Be clear about what you want and how we can help you.

      You can: 
      • fill in the online form 
      • fill in the Young Voices Complaints Form (Adobe PDF) 
      • phone 0345 60 80 192 (option 4)
      • text – 07797 870317 
      • write to Children’s Services Customer Relations Team, East G, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE
       
      If we can’t sort things out straight away, we’ll aim to give you a full response within 10 working days. If it takes longer, we’ll tell you and explain why.
      If you’re not happy with the response, let your complaints officer know. They’ll tell you what you can do next for social care complaints, or confirm you’ve reached the end of the complaints process.
      If you’re still not satisfied, you can contact the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman
       

      Support to make your complaint about the council 

      You can also talk to the ‘Speak Out!’ advocacy service.

      Speak Out! helps children and young people in East Sussex who have a Social Worker. They meet with children and young people to find out what they want professionals and other adults to know. They can help you get your views, wishes and feelings heard in meetings like:

      • Child Protection Meetings
      • Reviews for children who are looked after
      • Family Group Conferences

      They also help children and young people with worries or complaints they have about the (care) plans that are made for and about them.

      They don’t work for Social Service and are an independent team.

      Please call or text 0300 303 9649 to talk to someone in the Speak Out! Service. They are open from 8am–8pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am–4pm on Saturdays.

      You can find out more about Speak Out!  and Independent Visitors (IVs) for children in care. 

      Making a complaint about a school

      If you want to make a complaint about something or someone at your school, the best thing is to talk to a teacher you trust. If you’re not happy with the result, you can then make a complaint directly to the school.

      Schools have a complaints policy. The policy explains how to make a complaint.

      Find out more on ESCC – Complain about a school.