Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted
Application Form
Please read this carefully before completing the application form.
The role of the Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted (ICASO) is to review the way in which Ofsted has responded to complaints made by any member of the public who has been affected by the actions or decisions of Ofsted, provided that the complainant has first exhausted Ofsted’s internal complaints procedure.
The Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted (ICASO) may review a number of alleged failures. These include:
- any failure by Ofsted to follow its complaints procedure correctly.
- any failure to respond in a timely manner.
- any discourtesy by staff.
- any failure to accept and/or apologise for mistakes.
- any particular issue/s with conduct of an inspector or its staff (including contracted staff working on behalf of Ofsted).
- any issue/s concerning the implementation of inspection, regulatory procedures and subsequent reporting following inspection.
ICASO is independent of Ofsted and whilst it cannot overturn inspection judgements or decisions made by Ofsted, it may offer an independent view on complaints and provide recommendations, advice and guidance to Ofsted in relation to specific complaints and more generally to help it to achieve best practice in complaints handling procedures. Ofsted does not have to comply with the adjudicators recommendations but, if it does not comply, it must publish its reasons for not doing so.
ICASO is accountable to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families and is obliged to produce an annual report on its work.
If you require assistance in completing this form please contact ICASO on 0207 520 3800 or refer to our website for further details on ICASO's rules and procedures.
Upon receipt of a valid application an adjudicator will be appointed and you will be informed. Please note that we won’t start until the evidence is provided. A copy of your application form and your supporting documentation will be sent to Ofsted for them to summarise the complaint. You will see a copy of their summary and have the opportunity to respond. All communications between the parties and the adjudicator will be exchanged openly throughout the process.
PDF Application Form Available
If you require a printable version of the application form, to post to us, please click here. We can also send you a paper version, please email applications@cedr.com to arrange this.
If you would like to post your application in, please download the PDF application form above.
You can send applications to:
CEDR Services Ltd
100 St. Paul's Churchyard
London
EC4M 8BU