Complaints Procedure

How to raise concerns and have them resolved fairly

Last Updated: February 2026 | Version 1.0

Submit a Complaint

Email: complaints@awasportscoaching.com

Response Time: Acknowledgement within 3 working days, resolution within 14 days

Safeguarding Concerns: Email safeguarding@awasportscoaching.com or call 999 in emergencies

1. Our Commitment to You

At AWA Coaching, we strive to provide excellent service to all our athletes, parents, and coaches. However, we recognize that things don't always go to plan. When you're not satisfied with our service, we want to hear about it so we can put things right and improve.

This Complaints Procedure explains:

  • How to make a complaint
  • What happens when you complain
  • How long it will take to resolve
  • What to do if you're not satisfied with our response

2. What You Can Complain About

Service Quality

  • Poor coaching standards
  • Session quality concerns
  • Inadequate facilities
  • Communication issues

Administrative Issues

  • Booking problems
  • Payment disputes
  • Billing errors
  • Account access issues

Staff Conduct

  • Unprofessional behavior
  • Poor communication
  • Breach of code of conduct
  • Discrimination

Platform Issues

  • Technical problems
  • Data errors
  • Privacy concerns
  • Accessibility barriers

Safeguarding Concerns

Important: If your complaint involves safeguarding concerns about a child, please contact our Safeguarding Lead immediately at safeguarding@awasportscoaching.com or call 999 in an emergency. Safeguarding complaints follow a separate, priority procedure.

3. How to Make a Complaint

We encourage you to raise complaints as soon as possible. You can complain:

📧

By Email (Recommended)

complaints@awasportscoaching.com

💬

In Person

Speak to a coach or administrator at a session

📝

Via Platform

Use the contact form in your Dashboard

What to Include in Your Complaint

To help us investigate effectively, please provide:

Your name and contact details
Your relationship to AWA Coaching (parent, athlete, coach)
Date(s) when the issue occurred
Detailed description of what happened
Names of people involved (if applicable)
What you've already done to resolve it
What outcome you're seeking
Any supporting evidence (emails, screenshots, etc.)

4. The Complaints Process

1

Stage 1: Acknowledgement

Within 3 working days

We will acknowledge your complaint and assign it a reference number. We'll explain who is handling it and the expected timeline.

2

Stage 2: Investigation

Within 14 days

We will investigate your complaint thoroughly. This may include speaking to staff, reviewing records, and gathering evidence. We may contact you for additional information.

3

Stage 3: Response

Within 14 days

We will send you a written response explaining our findings, the outcome, and any actions we're taking. If we need more time, we'll let you know and explain why.

4

Stage 4: Resolution

Immediate or agreed timeline

If your complaint is upheld, we will implement the agreed resolution. This might include an apology, refund, service improvement, or other remedial action.

5. If You're Not Satisfied

If you're not happy with our response, you have several options:

1. Request a Review

Email complaints@awasportscoaching.com within 14 days of receiving our response, explaining why you're dissatisfied. A senior manager will review your case independently.

Timeline: Review completed within 28 days

2. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

For consumer disputes, you may use an authorized ADR provider. ADR is a free, independent service that helps resolve disputes without going to court.

More information: We will provide ADR provider details if your complaint is not resolved

3. Relevant Regulators

Depending on the nature of your complaint, you may contact:

Data Protection Issues

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

ico.org.uk | 0303 123 1113

Safeguarding Concerns

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Via your local council

4. Legal Action

As a last resort, you have the right to take legal action through the courts. We encourage you to try informal resolution and ADR first, as court proceedings can be costly and time-consuming.

6. Our Commitments

When you make a complaint, we promise to:

Treat your complaint seriously and with respect
Investigate thoroughly, fairly, and impartially
Keep you informed throughout the process
Respond within the stated timeframes
Listen to your concerns and desired outcome
Learn from complaints to improve our services
Maintain confidentiality (except where safeguarding requires disclosure)
Not discriminate or retaliate against you for complaining

7. Time Limits for Complaints

We encourage you to raise complaints as soon as possible after the issue occurs. Generally:

Standard Complaints

Complaints should be made within 3 months of the incident. We may accept complaints outside this period if there are exceptional circumstances.

Safeguarding Complaints

No time limit. Safeguarding concerns can be reported at any time, even years after the incident.

8. Anonymous Complaints

We will accept anonymous complaints and investigate them where possible. However:

  • • We cannot respond to you if we don't know who you are
  • • It may be harder to investigate without being able to ask follow-up questions
  • • We may not be able to take certain actions without corroborating evidence

For safeguarding concerns, we strongly encourage you to provide your details so we can protect the child effectively, but we will investigate anonymous safeguarding reports.

9. Contact Information

General Complaints:

Email: complaints@awasportscoaching.com

Response: Within 3 working days

Safeguarding Complaints:

Email: safeguarding@awasportscoaching.com

Response: Same day (urgent priority)

Related Policies

We value your feedback and are committed to resolving complaints fairly and promptly.

Version 1.0 | Last Updated: February 2026 | Next Review: February 2027