THE SHEFFIELD FIRTH ALMSHOUSES: ANNUAL COMPLAINTS PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
REPORT - 2025
1. Introduction
This is our second annual complaints report for the period 1/1/25 to the 31/12/25.
It provides our residents with information on the complaints we have received, what they were about and what we did to resolve them.
We strive hard to deliver high quality services, but we accept that we may not always get it right and when we do not, we will acknowledge this and attempt to correct it.
Our resident views and perceptions are important to us, and we will continually take feedback to Board to improve our services to residents.
2. Management Committee’s Response
The Board of Trustees have reviewed and approved this years’ Annual Complaints Report.
The Board regularly receives reports on any complaints received and ensure that we are proactively acting within the remit of the Code. We appoint Complaints Officers to investigate complaints to ensure that we are in touch with our resident’s needs.
When complaints are received, we follow our policy and procedure and when outcomes are agreed, we will consider the findings and make sure that we act on any actions required. We learn from them and use them in a positive way to deliver future service improvements.
3. Annual Self-Assessment
A copy of our latest self-assessment is attached for information.
4. Complaints Handling Performance
Period
Stage 1 complaints
Stage 2 complaints
1/1/25 to the 31/12/25
0
0
For this year, we are pleased to confirm that we received no formal complaints, meaning we have nothing to report on.
However, this does not mean that we are complacent. Instead, we will continue to ensure that all residents know how to access our Complaints Policy and Procedure and we have provided more information about this in Section 10.
5. Types of Complaints Received
We refused to accept complaints regarding Anti-social Behaviour (ASB). This is because we have a separate ASB Policy and Procedure which deals with this. Copies of which are available from our office, or by contacting the clerk or complaints officer by phone or by email.
If we refuse to accept a complaint, we will always write to you and explain the reasons why in line with the Complaints Handling Code.
6. Complaints Escalated to the Housing Ombudsman Service
During this period 1/1/25 – 31/1/25, we had no complaints cases escalated or referred to the Housing Ombudsman Service.
7. Compliance with the Code
We complied with the complaint handling code and had no Ombudsman intervention.
8. Learning & Service Improvements
Whilst we received no formal complaints, we do not take this for granted.
We recently completed our tenant perception surveys and have used the feedback from these surveys to ensure that our Complaints Policy and Procedure is easily accessible for all tenant members and that they know how to access it.
We have provided some more detailed information in Section 10 of this report.
9. The Housing Ombudsman Service
We include the Housing Ombudsman Service’s contact information in all our correspondence relating to services, to actively encourage tenants to use the service or access the Ombudsman service for assistance.
Residents should be aware that you do not have to have a formal complaint ongoing to seek advice and support from the Ombudsman service.
The Housing Ombudsman can be contacted in the following ways:
Web: www.housing-ombudsman.org.uk
Email: info@housingombudsman.org.uk
Post: Housing Ombudsman Service
PO Box 1484
Unit D
Preston
PR2 0ET
Tel: 0300 111 3000
10. Access to our Complaints Policy and Procedure
We try to ensure that complaints are resolved at the first point of contact, via the Warden, Clerk or any of the Trustees. If you remain dissatisfied, a formal complaint can be made.
Residents can access our Complaints Policy and Procedure and self-assessment against the Code in the following ways:
The Complaints Officer :
Name: Jen Winterbottom
Telephone number: 07734037638
Address: 1 Firths Homes, Nethergreen rd, Sheffield S11 7Eg
Email address: office.firthshomes@gmail.com
The Appeals Officer is:
Name: Catherine Bailey
Telephone number: 0114 2301252
Address: 1 Firths Homes, Nethergreen rd, Sheffield, S11 7EG
Email address: cathinsheff@hotmail.com
Assistance can be obtained by visiting our office or calling us on 01142301252.
On receipt of a formal complaint, the Complaints Procedure will apply.
We also provide a copy of our Complaints Policy and Procedure to all new residents.
Each year when our Annual Meeting takes place, we send a copy of our current self-assessment against the Complaints Handling Code to all residents. We also provide information within our Annual Report regarding complaints.
We also include information within any services correspondence so that residents know how they can complain.
In addition, the publication of this report and our Board of Trustee’s response will demonstrate to residents that we value their perceptions of the services we deliver.
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